The Parliament of New Zealand approved in the third round, the bill that establishes a regulatory framework for online casino games in the country. The bill now heads to Royal Assent and is expected to be approved and become law in May.
The proposal, known as the Online Casino Gambling Bill, provides for the implementation of a licensing system for national and international operators, with strict operating and inspection rules. The expectation is that the new model will be launched in 2027, with the start of the process of granting licenses from July this year.
According to the Minister of the Interior, Brooke van Velden, the new regime seeks to increase user safety and guarantee social return. “The new regulatory regime strengthens consumer protection and ensures that a portion of online casino gaming revenue returns to communities across the country,” he said.
According to the approved text, the government must make up to 15 licenses available, with an initial validity of three years. Interested companies will need to go through stages such as expression of interest, public auction and technical analysis, in addition to proving financial capacity and adoption of consumer protection measures. The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) will be responsible for managing the licensing regime.
The New Zealand government’s expectation is that the application submission process, which will begin in July, will be completed on December 1, 2026.
The legislation also provides for severe punishments for operators who act without authorization, including fines that can reach millions of dollars and a ban on operating in the country. The measure seeks to reduce the activity of offshore platforms, which currently concentrate a large part of the bets made by New Zealanders.
According to the government, the new rules also aim to reach foreign operators operating in the country. “These tools will ensure the law applies to all online casino games available in New Zealand, regardless of the location of the operators,” van Velden said.
The proposal also allocates part of the revenue to local initiatives. According to the minister, contributions received during the process indicated that the population wants the sector’s benefits to be reverted to sports clubs, community organizations and grassroots projects.
Another central point of the project is the focus on minimizing damage. The regulatory model prioritizes the protection of players, with responsible gaming requirements and limits on advertising. Furthermore, the scope of the law is restricted to online casino games, excluding sports betting and digital lotteries.
According to the government, the regulation should also increase tax collection and increase transparency in the sector, while creating a safer environment for consumers.
Fonte: Gaming365 – Brasil
