The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has officially invited operators to express early interest in obtaining licenses for the country’s legal online gambling market, set to launch in 2026.
Key developments:
- A new licensing process is underway, led by the Online Gambling Implementation Programme
- DIA’s focus includes player protection, regulatory fairness, and harm minimization
- The government is backing these reforms with an $81 million investment for gambling harm-reduction strategies
- Legal advertising may be introduced to distinguish licensed operators from offshore platforms
With thousands of New Zealanders already gambling offshore, this regulatory shift marks a pivotal moment for consumer safety, market transparency, and gambling oversight in the country.
