New Zealand Starts Screening Online Casino License Applicants

Operators have until 14 August to enter New Zealand’s new licensing process. The opening stage requires detailed disclosures and includes limited eligibility checks before the auction takes place.

The Department of Internal Affairs opened the expression-of-interest period on 17 July. Secretary for Internal Affairs Paul James issued the formal invitation through the New Zealand Gazette a day earlier.

Entry Begins With Initial Checks

Each EOI carries a non-refundable fee of NZ$19,000. Applicants must also demonstrate access to at least NZ$7.5 million in capital. This creates an early financial threshold before the auction.

Beyond sharing information about the company, applicants must provide brand and platform details and disclose their ownership structure, including relevant persons and significant interests. The filing also covers licensing history, sources of funds, and specified breaches or investigations.

Acceptance of an EOI does not confer any entitlement to a license. It allows the applicant to be invited to the auction stage.

Auction Comes Before the Full Application

New Zealand will make up to 15 online casino gambling licenses available. Each license will cover one brand and the platforms used to access it. A person may not have significant influence over more than three licenses.

Only applicants with accepted EOIs will be invited to the auction, which is expected to take place in September. Parties continue to participate until they find the price higher than what they were willing to pay.

Winning bidders are allowed to apply for a full license from October onwards. In the application process, there will be evaluations on business model, consumer protection, marketing, harm minimization, and regulatory compliance. Even after the auction, the Department can decline the license if an applicant fails the suitability test.

December Deadline Divides the Market

There is a time constraint now on how the licensing process will be conducted. From 1 December, transitional providers that have not applied for a license must cease conducting online casino gambling in New Zealand. Existing providers with an application under consideration may continue operating without advertising until a decision is made.

The regulated framework is expected to become fully operational in 2027. In the meantime, the government will use the EOI, auction, and application processes to filter out the participants one by one.

The first EOI round will reveal how broad the real license race is. The capital rule and disclosure package favor groups with established compliance teams, clear ownership records, and funds ready for the auction. Smaller operators may struggle to reach the bidding stage, while broader suitability and compliance issues will be assessed after the auction.