All licensed operators will be held to the same regulatory standards, meaning people who choose to gamble will be better protected. These standards will unchainportphillip.com ensure online casinos are fair and secure and that harm is minimised. To help customers identify which online casinos are licensed and meet New Zealand’s regulatory requirements, we will publish a public register of licensed online casinos. Licensed casinos will also be required to display a unique registration icon on their platforms and in their advertising, making it easier for players to recognise licensed operators. Yes, but only when provided by operators that are legally authorised under New Zealand law. From 2026, online casino gambling is subject to a formal licensing system, meaning only 15 approved operators can legally offer these services to Kiwi players.
- The DIA is responsible for licensing, compliance, and enforcement across most gambling activities, while the Gambling Commission deals with casino licensing and certain appeals and disciplinary matters.
- It is general information about how the law applies to consumers, not advice on your circumstances.
- Stage one is a paid Expression of Interest (from about NZ$19,000 + GST).
- Online bingo offers the convenience of automated number marking, making it easy for players to track their progress.
- Founded in 2005, this provider is now known as one of the largest and best gaming suppliers in New Zealand.
- An ascending clock auction is a way of setting a price when there are multiple interested buyers.
- This approach gives effect to the legislative framework through an implementation process that produces effective consumer protection, responsible gambling and regulatory compliance.
Stage 3: Licence application
Racing and sports betting also remain available through authorised domestic providers, ensuring a regulated environment for all major forms of betting. You can transfer funds directly on the casino’s site or use your mobile device when playing at a mobile casino; many Kiwis prefer this option since more players are always on the go. This method essentially transfers funds from your online casino account to your bank account when used as a withdrawal method. You may have to wait about 5-10 days for the money, and there are also considerably low or no fees attached to this method, depending on the bank you are with.
Learn about gaming licensing and regulation in your country
These percentages are usually around 97%, meaning every NZ$100 bet on that game, NZ$97 is returned to you in the form of a win. Each casino and their accompanying games have various RTP, so ensure you check these out before committing to them. You can see above at our table of the ‘Top 5’ best online casinos, or see our review pages for which platforms are the best in New Zealand.
For prepaid cards, like Visa’s Prezzy Card, you first load the cards with your desired amount before using them as a deposit option. You can purchase these cards at local gas stations and convenience stores, using the PIN provided to activate and use your card for your online casino account. This method is only valid for deposits since you cannot withdraw money to a prepaid card. An advantage of this type of method is that it is entirely anonymous, and you have more control over how much you spend.
What protections will a licensed site have to offer?
Providers who have submitted a licence application will be granted an exemption to continue operating without advertising until the outcome of their application has been determined. Because the price changes in steps, the final price clearly reflects what the remaining participants are willing to pay. This helps us to ensure the outcome is seen as fair, consistent and robust, and gives confidence that the price has been set through a transparent competitive process. Withdrawing funds from the casino to your credit card is pretty straightforward. You will usually get an instant payout or wait a maximum of 3 days, depending on both the casino you are withdrawing from and the credit card company you are using.
- However, the new 2026 framework eliminates this ambiguity by requiring offshore operators to secure one of 15 available local licences to legally serve the market.
- This approach has been chosen because it is well suited to situations where transparency, fairness and confidence in the final price are important.
- It came into force on 1 May 2026, with the detailed Online Casino Gambling Regulations 2026 following on 3 July 2026.
- The DIA will run a tightly capped market rather than an open one.
- Dates, fees and the number of live operators are the details most likely to change, so we revisit them regularly and note the last-updated date at the foot of this page.
Liquor & Gaming NSW
We outline these in our in-depth reviews; however each site showcases their accepted methods on their homepage or dedicated ‘Banking’ section. You can also find these methods when you make an initial deposit or withdrawal. This software partner is one of the most innovative and globally recognised developers in the online gambling community. Launched in 2013, their pokies are among the most popular, including Valley of the Gods, Nitro Circus, and Gem Rocks. Founded in 2005, this provider is now known as one of the largest and best gaming suppliers in New Zealand.
Several of the changes target the design features that keep people playing longer than they intended. The headline one for slots players is the NZ online casino autoplay ban. In doing so, they establish a robust and balanced framework to protect consumers, reduce gambling related harm, and ensure online casino gambling operates in a safe, fair and responsible way in New Zealand. While the Act is in force, the full licensed online casino gambling regime is not expected to be fully operational until 2027. The convenience of playing Blackjack from anywhere enhances the allure of this classic card game in online casinos. Sports and racing betting is regulated under the Racing Industry Act 2020 and Gambling Act 2003.
Up to 15 online casinos will be successful at auction and gain the right to apply for an online casino licence. From 1 December 2026, only these operators will be able to provide online casino gambling to customers in New Zealand. The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) requires all 15 authorised operators to clearly display a mandatory registration icon on their websites and in any permitted advertising. If you do not see this official mark, the operator is likely an unlicensed offshore site and does not offer New Zealand’s local consumer protections.
Trust & Fair Play
With the integration of sophisticated algorithms, players can enjoy fair gameplay, ensuring an authentic and secure poker experience from the comfort of their own homes. SkyCity Casino launched its online site in 2019 under the same name as its New Zealand land-based casino. With thousands of titles on offer, virtual sporting events, top-tier customer support, and a great sign-up bonus, gamblers are definitely spoilt for choice at this great platform. We tested over 70 casinos this year, and these three came out on top for their trustworthiness, payouts, bonuses, and NZ-friendly features. Each one offers verified licensing, fast NZD payments, and premium pokies from world-class developers. If you decide to use an unlicensed platform, you won’t have the same player protections.
Under the new rules, credit cards and credit-linked payment methods are banned for online casino deposits so players cannot gamble on borrowed money. From 1 May 2026 operators must not advertise online casino gambling services to New Zealand customers while unlicensed. Advertising remains prohibited while an application is under assessment, though the applicant may continue operating. Once a licence is granted, the operator may advertise in New Zealand subject to restrictions set under the Act.
Online bingo offers the convenience of automated number marking, making it easy for players to track their progress. Engaging chat rooms and lively communities make the online bingo experience more interactive, providing a sense of togetherness and fun. Casino.org is the world’s leading independent online gaming authority, providing trusted online casino news, guides, reviews and information since 1995.
Choose an account if you have several withdrawal locations and hit ‘Submit’. Casinos that offer top-tier providers, such as Microgaming and Betsoft, along with popular titles like Book of Dead and Starburst, are great options for Kiwi players. This ensures the best possible experience across a range of titles and developers. This makes it especially important to choose carefully, understand the risks, and gamble responsibly. Wherever possible, stick to legal and regulated gambling options, and keep an eye on these significant law changes that are fundamentally altering the online casino landscape. Online casino gambling is now regulated by the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026.
Only ever bet what you can afford to lose, set deposit and time limits, and never chase losses. The rollout is happening in stages, and detail can shift as the DIA publishes further guidance. We track this page against the Department of Internal Affairs, legislation on the New Zealand statutes register and reputable legal commentary from New Zealand law firms. Dates, fees and the number of live operators are the details most likely to change, so we revisit them regularly and note the last-updated date at the foot of this page. Licensed operators will display an official registration mark so Kiwis can tell a DIA-licensed site from an unlicensed one.
What are the risks of gambling at offshore and unlicensed casinos?
The legal framework in New Zealand continues to evolve as the government moves toward a regulated online casino market. Before it, the Gambling Act 2003 did not provide for licensed online casinos, and New Zealanders mostly played at offshore sites with no local oversight. For years, Kiwi players have used offshore casinos without the protection of a New Zealand licensing system. Instead, it controls which operators can legally offer online games here and introduces local rules designed to protect customers.
Successful bidders from the auction will shortly be able to submit full licence applications. We only endorse licensed casinos in compliance with New Zealand’s Gambling Act 2003. Players bet on their own, or another player’s, hand using digital ‘chips’. The player with the highest hand wins, and those who bet on that player also receive a portion of the winnings. Stage-one Expressions of Interest opened from around NZ$19,000 + GST from July 2026, with further costs at the competitive and application stages set by the DIA.
For now, Kiwis can continue playing at offshore casinos that were already serving New Zealand before 1 May 2026. Players do not commit an offence, and gambling winnings for most recreational players, are generally not subject to income tax in NZ. The major change begins from 1 December 2026, when only successful auction bidders with applications under consideration may continue temporarily. Using an unlicensed offshore casino is not an offence for individual players.
