As the launch of the New Zealand online casino market approaches, the country has officially initiated the first steps of its licensing process. Officials hope that the launch of regulated iGaming will allow the country to capitalize on the demand for such products and undermine the more dangerous offshore market.
The Licensing Process Has Begun
As of July 17, operators interested in offering online casino gaming in New Zealand can begin the licensing process ahead of the iGaming market’s official launch. According to the Department of Internal Affairs, applicants can submit expressions of interest by August 14. The application must be filed via the Government Electronic Tender Service and must be accompanied by a NZD 19,000 ($11,090) fee.
New Zealand would then determine which applicants are most promising. Those whose expressions of interest are accepted will, in September, join an auction that will allow winning bidders to submit full license applications. Leading gaming companies Bet365, evoke, Entain, SkyCity, Spin City, SpinBet, and Super Group have expressed interest in applying.
New Zealand’s plan is to launch iGaming in December, heralding a new era for the country’s gambling industry.
New Zealand Is Preparing for a New Era of Online Gaming
For reference, New Zealand previously prohibited local businesses from offering online casino gaming. At the same time, the country did not explicitly prohibit online gambling, allowing players to gamble with offshore operators.
However, the growth of the offshore market did not go unnoticed and lawmakers eventually expressed interest in moving the online gaming to New Zealand. Under the local framework, New Zealand will offer a total of 15 licenses to operators. Each license can only be associated with one brand. One operator can win no more than three such licenses.
New Zealand recently confirmed the final rules for its gambling market, emphasizing that companies are expected to minimize gambling harm via a variety of harm-mitigating tools. Banning with credit cards will be strictly prohibited, as well as third-party methods using credit cards.
Operators are also expected to be transparent when it comes to the rules of their games and the conditions associated with bonus offers. New Zealand will also sport stringent rules on online gaming ads, under which operators must not advertise directly before sports broadcasts or to minor players.
At the same time, players will not be explicitly prohibited from playing with offshore companies, although the country will take measures to limit the offshore market’s reach.