New Zealand has started vetting online casino operators, though the fully licensed market is not expected to arrive until 2027. First Step Is Vetting, Not a Casino Launch New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs has opened the expression-of-interest stage for companies seeking an online casino license. Submissions opened on July 17 and close on August […]
New Zealand
SkyCity Online Casino Hit With Class Action Over New Zealand Legality Claims
A new class action is taking aim at SkyCity’s Malta-run online casino, putting years of player losses and a legal gray area in New Zealand squarely in the spotlight. Lawsuit Puts SkyCity’s Offshore Model on the Spot SkyCity Entertainment Group is facing class-action proceedings challenging whether its online casino setup is lawful for New Zealand […]
New Zealand’s Online Casino Licenses Draw Early Heavyweights
With regulation nearing the home straight, major betting and casino groups are already lining up to grab a slice of New Zealand’s soon-to-be legal online casino market. Rules First, Then the Scramble New Zealand’s online casino framework is expected to be locked in around mid-2026, and the government is preparing to auction up to 15 […]
Kiwi Government to Funnel Offshore Casino Revenue Back to Local Clubs Under Revised Gambling Bill
New Zealand’s government has responded to mounting public pressure by rewriting part of its proposed Online Casino Gambling Bill. A key update will see 4% of offshore gambling revenue redirected to local sports clubs, community groups, and grassroots organizations — a move aimed at easing concerns over lost funding from traditional gambling sources like pokies, […]
Critics Warn New Zealand’s Online Casino Bill Could Trigger Ad Surge and Funding Losses
New Zealand’s Parliament has started oral submissions on the proposed Online Casino Bill, and critics quickly raised alarms about its potential impact. Opponents say the plan to lift the advertising ban would unleash a flood of gambling promotions while also cutting into community funding tied to pokie machine revenue. Fears of Aggressive Marketing Martin Cheer, […]
NZ Sports Groups Slam Online Casino Bill Over Missing Community Funding
New Zealand’s Online Casino Gambling Bill is facing backlash from the sports sector, with more than 50 organizations warning it could gut community sport funding. The bill, introduced in June by Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden, aims to regulate offshore casino platforms by issuing up to 15 licenses to international operators. It passed its […]
Global Giants Set to Reshape NZ’s Gambling Landscape
Foreign Firms to Dominate as Government Auctions Online Casino Licenses New Zealand is preparing for a major shift in its gambling industry as the government moves to auction 15 online casino licenses to foreign companies starting February 2026. This landmark decision will regulate the online gambling sector for the first time, positioning New Zealand among […]
Local Casinos Sound Alarm Over Online Gambling Licensing Changes in New Zealand
Government’s Online Gambling Regulation Plan The New Zealand government has unveiled its plan to regulate the online gambling industry, sparking concerns among local casino operators. The proposed framework includes issuing 15 licenses for online casino operators, with these licenses to be auctioned to the highest bidders. This move comes alongside the National Party’s campaign promise […]
Prospects of New Zealand’s Regulated iCasino Market by 2026
As of now, gambling activities in New Zealand generate nearly NZ$1 billion annually. However, the government’s projection for the regulated online casino sector is more conservative, expecting it to be worth around $500 million when it officially launches in 2026. Government Initiatives and Regulation Plans The New Zealand government has outlined a plan to regulate […]
New Zealand’s Bold Gamble: Reshaping the Online Casino Landscape
New Zealand is rolling the dice on a revolutionary approach to online casinos in a daring move that’s sent shockwaves through the gambling world. Brooke van Velden, the country’s Minister of Internal Affairs, has unveiled a groundbreaking framework that promises to transform the digital gambling scene by 2026. But is this a jackpot for the […]
