The government of New Zealand has announced the final regulations for the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026, set to come into force on July 3, 2026.
These regulations impose stringent requirements on licensed online casino operators, paving the way for the country's upcoming licensing process. The rules were established through an Order in Council, following recommendations from the Minister of Internal Affairs.
Operators will be mandated to implement essential tools that enable players to establish limits on their daily, weekly, or monthly gaming time, deposits, and overall spending. These limits must be initiated at the time of account creation and reinforced on a monthly basis.
While players can modify their limits, this will only be permitted after a compulsory 24-hour cooling-off period. Additional safeguards will also be required, such as a minimum five-minute break after 60 minutes of uninterrupted play, time-out options ranging from 24 hours to three months, and pop-up notifications that display session details while temporarily halting gameplay.
Players will have the option to self-exclude for specific durations or indefinitely, with operators obligated to process these requests within 24 hours. Furthermore, operators must be vigilant for signs of gambling-related issues and may impose exclusions lasting up to two years if necessary.
The regulations also enhance verification protocols, requiring strict identity and payment checks. Customers must verify their full name, date of birth, and confirm they are at least 18 years old before activating their accounts. Operators are also responsible for checking for any existing accounts or previous exclusions.
Key payment restrictions include a prohibition on credit-based gambling products, such as credit cards used for gambling purposes, a limit of one deposit method and account per platform, and a 24-hour waiting period for changes to deposit methods, although withdrawals can still be processed through different methods.
Operators are expected to uphold transparency standards, which include providing easily accessible game information and retaining customer records for the duration of the customer relationship plus an additional seven years.
The regulations also impose significant restrictions on gambling advertising. Advertising on the front pages of print media or in public transport areas is banned, and broadcast advertisements are prohibited during live events and within 30 minutes before and after broadcasts.
Additionally, sponsorships, endorsements, affiliate marketing, and inducement-based advertising are not allowed, along with personalized ads aimed at increasing gambling expenditure. Advertisements must also avoid content that appeals to minors or targets audiences where over 20% are under 18. Direct marketing will require explicit consent or narrowly defined user preferences, with strict limitations on frequency and content.
Operators will also face additional obligations regarding product design and financial management, including a ban on autoplay features, restrictions limiting users to one online slot game at a time, limits on network progressive jackpots to licensed platforms, and prohibitions on game design elements that promote excessive or impulsive gambling.
Moreover, operators must submit quarterly and annual reports detailing player activity, usage data, and profits, and report serious incidents within five working days. A quarterly levy of 3.5% on online gambling profits will be instituted, with penalties for late payments.
The Online Casino Gambling Bill, which was passed last month, allows for the issuance of up to 15 online casino licenses through a competitive application process. This process will commence with a NZ$19,000 (approximately US$11,060) expression-of-interest fee, followed by auction and application phases.
Operators are already preparing for entry into the market, with Entain expressing interest in securing up to three licenses.