A new Online Gambling Bill to be drafted in New Zealand will offer up to 15 licenses to operators in a bid to minimize the proliferation of illegal offshore gambling across the country.

Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden said via statement on Wednesday that the government has now agreed to further details of a new system to regulate online casino gambling, noting that the current lack of online casino gambling regulation means that harm prevention and consumer protection requirements do not apply.

“My goal is not to increase the amount of gambling that is happening online, but to enable New Zealanders who wish to play casino games online to do so more safely than they can today,” van Velden said.

“Currently, New Zealanders can and do gamble on thousands of offshore gambling websites. By introducing a regulatory system my intention is to channel customers towards up to 15 licensed operators.”

The Minister noted that the current proliferation of citizens playing on illegal offshore sites means that some consumers have faced problems withdrawing funds, among other issues.

The Online Gambling Bill will look to address such issues while implementing various measures aimed at protecting the vulnerable.

“A new Online Gambling Bill will be drafted with the purpose to regulate online casino gambling to facilitate a safer and compliant regulated online gambling market. More importantly, it will prevent and minimise online gambling harm and limit opportunities for crime and dishonesty,” van Velden explained.

“I am pleased that the system will deliver to these objectives by prohibiting advertising that appeals to children, requiring online gambling operators to have an acceptable age verification system, and introducing fines of up to $5 million for operators that break the law.

“Further regulations will be developed on the detailed rules around advertising, as well as harm minimization and consumer protection requirements. This is the same approach used in the existing Gambling Act and will give us more flexibility to adjust the regulations where necessary.

“The new regulatory system will be in place by early 2026. I look forward to taking the Bill through Parliament next year and hearing feedback from the public during the Select Committee stage.”