New Zealand proposes stricter regulations for online casinos

[Wolf32]

New Zealand announced plans to tighten regulations on online casino gambling by limiting the number of operator licenses, mandating age verification systems, and banning advertisements directed at children.

Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden stated that offenders could face fines of up to NZ$5 million ($3 million), with the regulatory framework set to take effect in early 2026.

Van Velden said:

My goal is not to increase online gambling but to provide a safer environment for New Zealanders who wish to play online casino games. Currently, New Zealanders access thousands of offshore gambling websites. By implementing a regulatory system, I aim to guide customers toward a select group of up to fifteen licensed operators.

The government outlined plans in July to establish licensing for online casinos, restricting operators to online casino games only—excluding sports betting and lottery—and setting a minimum age of 18. Currently, online casino gambling in New Zealand is unregulated, with no consumer protections in place. Research from Statista indicates that, with the rise of smartphones and online accessibility, more New Zealanders are gambling online, with revenue from these platforms projected to grow around 6% annually from 2024 to 2029.

Van Velden added that further rules on advertising and consumer protections would be developed under existing gambling legislation, with the bill expected to be introduced in parliament next year.