TLDR
- New Zealand published regulations for the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026, taking effect July 3, 2026
- Operators must offer spending limits, break-in-play features, and self-exclusion tools
- Credit cards and multiple accounts per platform are banned
- Advertising is heavily restricted, including bans on sponsorships and affiliate marketing
- A 3.5% quarterly levy on gambling profits will apply; up to 15 licences will be issued
New Zealand has published the rules that will govern its new online casino industry. The regulations were issued on Friday and come into force on July 3, 2026 — the same month the licensing process is expected to begin.
The rules follow the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026, which became law last month. That law allows up to 15 licences to be issued to qualified operators through a competitive application process.
The regulations were issued through an Order in Council, following recommendations from the minister of internal affairs.
Player Protection Rules
Operators must let customers set daily, weekly, or monthly limits on deposits, spending, and playtime. These limits must be offered at account creation and again every month after that.
Players who want to increase or remove a limit must wait 24 hours before the change takes effect.
Platforms are required to include break-in-play features. After 60 minutes of continuous play, a minimum five-minute break must be triggered. Time-out options ranging from 24 hours to three months are also required, along with pop-up alerts showing session information.
Players can self-exclude for a fixed period or indefinitely. Operators must process those requests within 24 hours. Operators can also exclude suspected problem gamblers for up to two years.
Payment and Identity Requirements
Customers must verify their full name, date of birth, and age before activating an account. The minimum age is 18.
Credit cards and certain linked payment methods are banned. Each customer can only have one deposit method and one account per platform. Changes to deposit methods are locked for 24 hours.
Advertising Restrictions
The rules place tight limits on how operators can advertise. Ads cannot appear on the front pages of print publications or on public transport.
Broadcast ads are banned during live events and in the 30-minute window before and after them.
Sponsorships, celebrity endorsements, affiliate marketing, and ads encouraging impulsive play are all prohibited. Any ad that could appeal to under-18s, or reach an audience where more than 20% are under 18, is not allowed.
New Zealand’s approach mirrors moves by its neighbour Australia. The Albanese government outlined advertising reforms earlier this year, including television time caps and a ban on celebrity gambling ads.
Financial Obligations and Product Limits
Operators must pay a quarterly levy of 3.5% on online gambling profits. Quarterly and annual reports on player metrics and profits are also required.
Product restrictions include a ban on autoplay functions and a rule preventing players from running more than one online slot at a time.
To enter the licensing process, operators must pay a $19,000 expression-of-interest fee. A licensing auction follows, then a detailed application.
Entain chief executive Stella David said during the company’s FY25 earnings call that the company was targeting three of the available licences.
