New Zealand Opens Licences to Offshore Operators

New Zealand has confirmed that offshore online casino operators involved in disputes with authorities over their previous activities will still be eligible to apply for licenses under the country’s upcoming online gambling framework.

The government stated that operators currently serving New Zealand players will not be automatically excluded from the licensing process, even if they are subject to legal proceedings related to their past operations.

Speaking before Parliament’s Governance and Administration Committee, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden said the government wants to avoid creating a licensing system that is too restrictive, as this could reduce competition within the market.

According to van Velden, the existence of ongoing legal disputes will not, by itself, prevent an operator from seeking a license. Companies will be permitted to participate in the licensing process under the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026, provided they satisfy all regulatory requirements.

The government also clarified that previous legal issues should not disqualify applicants from taking part in the selection process. Under the new framework, up to 15 offshore online casino licenses will be issued through a two-stage application system.

Applicants must first pass suitability assessments, which will include reviews of potential links to organized crime and other compliance checks. Operators that successfully complete this stage will then be eligible to participate in a competitive auction process.

Officials further confirmed that having an established presence in New Zealand will no longer be considered a significant factor when evaluating license applications.