TLDR
- New Zealand has opened registration through the Government Electronic Tenders Service (GETS) for its first online casino licence auction.
- Registration only grants access to the platform. It does not let companies apply for a licence yet.
- The process follows a three-stage system under the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026.
- Up to 15 online casino licences will be issued, and regulators can withhold licences if applicants don’t meet standards.
- Licences last three years with one renewal option and cannot be sold or transferred.
New Zealand has taken its next step toward a regulated online casino market. The government has opened registration through the Government Electronic Tenders Service, known as GETS.
This stage does not allow companies to apply for a licence yet. It simply gives them access to the platform that will manage the entire process.
The registration follows the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026. That law sets out how the country will license and oversee online casino operators.
How the Licensing Process Will Work
The government has built a three-stage system for awarding licences rather than a single application step.
Later this year, companies will submit expressions of interest. These will cover ownership structure, financial standing, leadership, and technical ability.
Only some applicants will move forward to the auction stage. That auction will also run through GETS.
Winning a spot in the auction does not guarantee a licence. Bidders must still complete a full application covering compliance, responsible gambling measures, and consumer protection plans.
This staged setup gives regulators several chances to review applicants before any company can launch.
A Limited Number of Licences
New Zealand will issue no more than 15 online casino licences. Regulators are not required to hand out all 15 if applicants fall short of requirements.
This limit is expected to create strong competition among operators already active in other regulated markets.
Licences will last three years, with the option of one renewal. They cannot be sold or transferred to another company.
That rule limits how much consolidation can happen once the market opens.
Companies that win a licence face ongoing rules after launch. These include age verification and tools such as spending limits and session controls.
Operators must also keep customer funds separate from their own company accounts. Credit-based payment methods will not be permitted.
Customers must be able to withdraw their money without unnecessary delays. Advertising rules are also strict, with limits on misleading promotions and where ads can appear.
Some obligations continue even after a licence expires. Operators must still manage outstanding customer balances once their licence ends.
They must also keep required records for a set period after that. Registration through GETS is open now for interested operators.
The formal application stages, including expressions of interest, are expected to begin later this year. The auction process will follow through the same government platform.
