New Zealand Parliament Approves First Round of iGaming Bill

New Zealand’s Parliament voted 83 to 39 in favour of the Online Casino Gambling Bill during its first reading, a key legislative step toward legalising and regulating online casino gambling in the country. The bill, introduced by Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden in April, now advances to the Governance and Administration Committee for further scrutiny.

If passed, the bill would establish a licensed iGaming market with up to 15 operators permitted to hold three-year licences. Licensed operators are expected to launch their services by July 2026. The legislation aims to create a legal framework to replace the current unregulated online gambling environment in New Zealand.

Supporters Highlight Consumer Protection and Regulation

Proponents argue the bill will curb the unregulated market, bringing online gambling under government oversight to protect consumers. Jamie Arbuckle, MP for the New Zealand First Party—part of the ruling coalition—called the bill a “robust framework” that will ensure only trustworthy operators participate. He emphasised the need for regulation to minimise gambling-related harm while enabling consumer safeguards.

Under the bill, licensed operators will be required to pay a goods and services tax and an offshore gambling duty of 12%. Additionally, a levy of 1.24% on profits will fund gambling harm reduction services. Advertising will be allowed but restricted, including prohibitions on targeting children. Strict age verification measures will be mandated to prevent underage gambling.

The 15 licences will be awarded via auction, with several major operators expressing interest, including SkyCity, 888, Bet365, Super Group (owner of Betway), and TAB NZ. However, TAB NZ, which holds a monopoly on online sports betting, will not be eligible to apply for an online casino licence under the bill.

Opposition voices, including Labour Party MP Lemauga Lydia Sosene, criticised the bill for not providing a sufficiently strong framework to reduce gambling harm. Sosene argued that the government’s approach to consumer protection is vague and lacks concrete measures to address the risks of expanding online gambling access. “It is important that the government is serious about supporting the reduction of online harm and, specifically, consumer protection, because the bill in its current form does not address those particular actions wholeheartedly,” Sosene said during the parliamentary debate.

 

This bill will create a robust framework to regulate online casino gambling and protect consumers while minimising harm.

Next Steps

Following its passage through the Governance and Administration Committee, the bill is scheduled for a second reading in Parliament, then review by the Committee of the Whole House. Minister van Velden has set a target date of 17 November for this stage, aiming to complete the legislative process and have the bill signed into law by the end of the year.

Should the bill become law, New Zealand will see the formal launch of a regulated online casino market by mid-2026, providing a new legal pathway for operators and a framework intended to balance industry growth with consumer protections.