New Zealand DIA Tells Exiting Casinos to Keep Withdrawals Open

The DIA updated its licensing guidance on November 10. Operators with applications under consideration may continue without advertising. The October auction gave 11 entities the right to apply, as 15M reported earlier.

William Hill Sets a November 24 Deposit Cutoff

The DIA’s exit guidance asks departing casinos to arrange withdrawals, handle dormant accounts and notify customers before restricting access. Leaving the market is "not an excuse to not fulfil your obligations," the department says.

William Hill has already published a New Zealand closure schedule with three dates:

• 24 November 2026 – deposits stop;
• 1 December 2026 – gambling access ends and unused bonuses are cancelled;
• 1 March 2027 – the online Cashier withdrawal window closes.

William Hill says customers with money remaining after March 1 will need to contact support to request payment. The end of online withdrawals does not mean those balances are forfeited.

Geoblocking Must Still Allow Withdrawals

The DIA wants departing providers to prevent people physically in New Zealand from gambling, including temporary visitors. IP-based controls and GPS checks are among the methods it suggests.

A complete website block is not required. Existing players can still be allowed to log in, withdraw money, contact support or close accounts.

Advertising is another issue. The current prohibition covers affiliate arrangements, social media campaigns and sponsorships. The DIA advises operators to remove New Zealand targeting and prevent gambling advertisements from reaching people in the country.

The Licence Exemption Has a June Limit

A check of Schedule 1 of the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 shows that the transitional exemption for qualifying existing operators that applied before December 1 has a final cutoff.

It ends on the earlier of the day after the licensing decision is notified or 1 June 2027. A pending application alone cannot extend that exemption beyond June.