Twenty-two years after outright banning gambling, New Zealand is taking steps to regulate online casino gambling and is extending an invitation to operators to express interest in one of the 15 future licenses.
New Zealand is preparing to regulate internet casino gaming under its jurisdiction. The government of an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean is now advocating for legislation to better safeguard players, lessen gaming harm, and crack down on dishonest operators, even though “Kiwis” have long utilized offshore sites.
The nation’s Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) is requesting that foreign casino operators express interest in joining the new regulated market as it prepares to restructure its approach to online gaming.
As the government works to legalize and regulate online casino gaming, New Zealand’s Online Gambling Implementation (OGI) Program stressed the value of early interaction with potential license holders.
The DIA team, which is in charge of creating the new regulations pertaining to online gambling, will create the legislation, confer with the public and experts, and prioritize player safety and industry equity.
In order to create a system that benefits not only the government but also the companies that wish to use it, they are also eager to hear from possible operators as soon as possible. The OGI team will collaborate with international authorities to assist in shaping the practical operation of the system while the legislative drafting process is still in progress. They will be in charge of putting the new regulations into effect as soon as the law is ratified.
After the Online Gambling Bill is approved, the government intends to grant up to 15 licenses through a competitive procedure. Candidates must adhere to strict guidelines aimed at ensuring player safety and encouraging responsible gaming in order to be eligible. The majority of New Zealand’s online casino activity currently takes place on unregulated offshore websites that offer little player security.
Unofficially, a number of major operators have already expressed interest in obtaining licenses, including 888, Betway, and Bet365. As part of the legalization of the online sector, licensed operators will also be allowed to advertise their services. Currently, the Gambling Act 2003 completely prohibits the promotion of online casinos, but the new system, which will be launched in 2026, will remove these restrictions.
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