for early access to the latest igaming videos!
and get the latest igaming news first!
New Zealand has moved its online casino licensing plans into the next phase, opening registration through the Government Electronic Tenders Service (GETS) as regulators prepare for the country’s first competitive licence auction.
The registration process does not allow operators to apply for licences yet. Instead, it gives prospective applicants access to the government platform that will handle every stage of the licensing process under the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026. For companies planning to enter the market, it is the first practical step toward competing for one of a limited number of permits.
Auction Process Starts Taking Shape
The government has designed the licensing system as a three-stage process rather than a single application.
Later this year, operators will submit expressions of interest outlining their ownership structure, financial position, leadership team, and technical capabilities. Only selected applicants will advance to the auction, which will also be conducted through GETS.
Winning a place in the auction will not guarantee a licence. Successful bidders must still complete a detailed application covering compliance procedures, responsible gambling measures, consumer protection policies, and marketing plans before approval is granted.
The staged approach gives regulators several opportunities to assess applicants before any operator is allowed to launch.
Competition Will Be Fierce
Only up to 15 online casino licences will be available, and authorities are not required to issue them all if applicants fail to meet expectations.
That cap is expected to make the auction highly competitive, particularly among international operators already active in regulated gambling markets.
Licences will be valid for three years, with the option of a single renewal. They cannot be transferred or sold to another company, limiting opportunities for consolidation after the market opens.
Compliance Continues After Approval
Meeting the entry requirements is only part of the process. Operators that secure licences will face ongoing obligations covering customer protection and financial safeguards.
The framework requires robust age verification, responsible gambling tools such as spending controls and session management, and strict separation of customer funds from company operating accounts. Credit-based payment methods will not be permitted, and customers must be able to withdraw their money without unnecessary restrictions.
Advertising rules are also tightly defined. Marketing must avoid misleading promotions and comply with limits on where and when gambling advertisements can appear.
Even after a licence expires, some responsibilities remain. Operators will still be expected to manage outstanding customer balances and retain required records beyond the licence period.
With GETS registration now underway, New Zealand’s long-planned online casino market is moving closer to reality. The formal application stages are still ahead, but the framework is no longer theoretical. The competition for a place in the country’s tightly controlled market has effectively begun.
Source: affpapa.com
