New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has launched the first phase of its online casino licensing process, inviting operators to submit expressions of interest (EOIs) for one of 15 licences under the country’s new regulated iGaming market.
Applications must be submitted through the Government Electronic Tenders Service (GETS) by 14 August, with a non-refundable application fee of NZ$19,000 (US$11,082).
The licensing framework limits the market to 15 online casino licences, with each operator eligible to hold a maximum of three licences. Applicants must also demonstrate access to at least NZ$7.5 million (US$4.38 million) in capital.
As part of the application process, companies must disclose detailed ownership and management structures, identify key officers, and provide information about the gambling brand and platform they intend to operate.
The DIA is also requiring applicants to provide extensive supporting documentation, including certified identification, credit reports, criminal record checks or international equivalents, and proof of available capital. Operators must disclose any previous regulatory breaches, ongoing legal proceedings, insolvency events, or adverse rulings from advertising regulators in New Zealand or overseas as part of the probity assessment.
Among the operators already expressing interest is Entain, whose Chief Executive Officer Stella David said during the company’s FY25 earnings call in March that it intends to apply for the maximum allocation of three licences.
David noted that Entain’s exclusive partnership with TAB New Zealand would make it the only online operator in the country capable of cross-selling between sports betting and online casino products.
The licensing process follows the passage of the Online Casino Gambling Act earlier this year, which legalised and established a regulatory framework for online casino gambling in New Zealand.
Following the EOI stage, the government is expected to hold a licence auction in September, with successful bidders invited to submit full licence applications from October. Final licences are expected to be issued in early 2027.
While some industry participants had hoped for a faster rollout, legal experts and regulators have suggested the timeline reflects New Zealand’s emphasis on rigorous licensing, consumer protection, and harm minimisation rather than speed to market.