Is it legal to play at online casinos in New Zealand?

Yes for players. New Zealand residents can legally play at offshore-licensed casinos, and playing there remains lawful during the transition to the new domestic regime.

When will licensed New Zealand casinos actually launch?

Not before 2027. The Department of Internal Affairs is awarding up to 15 three-year licences through an expressions-of-interest round and an auction in September 2026, with applications running into October. Operators then have 90 days from the grant to launch, and unlicensed providers must stop serving New Zealand by 1 December 2026.

Do New Zealanders pay tax on winnings?

No. Recreational gambling winnings are not taxed in New Zealand, so you keep the full amount you cash out.

What age and currency apply for NZ players?

Online operators generally require you to be at least 18, and casinos serving New Zealand commonly accept deposits in New Zealand Dollars (NZD).

Best Online Casinos in New Zealand

New Zealand's Online Casino Gambling Act came into force on 1 May 2026, but no licence has been issued yet, so Kiwis still play at offshore-licensed sites. The operators below accept players from New Zealand.

⚖Partially regulated🛡Gambling is legal🪙NZD (NZ$)

⚠Gamble responsibly | 18+ | gamblinghelpline.co.nz

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Market at a glance

Regulator: Department of Internal Affairs (DIA)
Current model: No domestic online casino licences; offshore play permitted
Status: Licensing regime legislated — first licences being introduced
Playing offshore: Legal for the player
Advertising to New Zealanders: Prohibited for offshore operators
Tax on player winnings: None for recreational players
Minimum age: 20 at NZ casinos; 18 for most other gambling
Currency: NZD ($)

8 casinos

1

LeoVegas⚖ UKGC

Award-winning, mobile-first casino with thousands of games, a strong live-casino offering and a long regulated track record.

91Safety

Read Review

2

Betway Casino⚖ UKGC

The casino arm of the major Betway brand — a large, established operator combining casino, live casino and sports.

90Safety

Read Review

3

Casumo⚖ UKGC

Multi-award-winning casino famous for its playful adventure theme, gamified rewards and a long regulated reputation.

90Safety

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4

PlayOJO⚖ UKGC

The "fair play" casino famous for bonuses with no wagering requirements and cashback on every bet.

89Safety

Read Review

5

Wildz⚖ MGA

A fast, modern casino with slick gamified levels and a Spinback cashback feature.

88Safety

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6

20Bet⚖ Curacao GCB

A combined casino and sportsbook with crypto support and broad market reach — a newer brand, so play with care.

81Safety

Read Review

7

Bizzo Casino⚖ Curacao GCB

A modern, gamified and crypto-friendly casino with a large game library — a newer brand, so play with care.

80Safety

Read Review

8

Casombie⚖ Curacao GCB

A modern, crypto-friendly casino with a huge game library and a playful adventure theme — newer, so play with extra care.

80Safety

Read Review

Legal to play, illegal to offer

The Gambling Act draws its line at who is operating, not who is playing. Running an online casino from within New Zealand has not been permitted, and neither has advertising one to New Zealanders. Playing at an offshore site has never been an offence for the individual.

That is why a large offshore market has served New Zealand for two decades with no legal exposure for players, and why those operators do not advertise here.

New Zealand has now legislated to licence online casinos, with a limited number of licences and local regulatory obligations attached. Until that regime is fully operational, the offshore position above is the live one.

What changes when licences arrive

A licensed regime brings obligations that offshore operators currently have none of: harm-minimisation requirements, age-verification standards, a domestic complaints route and a regulator with jurisdiction over the operator rather than over its licensing island.

It also brings advertising, which New Zealanders have largely not seen for online casino. Expect the visibility of the category to rise sharply — a reason to set your own limits before the marketing starts rather than after.

Because the number of licences is capped, most of today's offshore brands will not hold one. A brand that keeps serving New Zealand without a licence once the regime is live will be in a materially different position than it is today.

Practical protections right now

There is no New Zealand national self-exclusion register covering offshore online casinos. Self-exclusion works site by site, so closing one account leaves the rest open.

The tools that do reach across operators are the ones you control: the gambling block in your banking app, deposit limits set at each site, and preferring operators licensed somewhere with a functioning complaints process rather than somewhere that only sells licences.

Recreational winnings are not taxable. Free confidential support is available through the national gambling helpline, and it covers online play as much as pokies.

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New Zealand: Frequently Asked Questions

Yes for players. New Zealand residents can legally play at offshore-licensed casinos, and playing there remains lawful during the transition to the new domestic regime.

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Gamble responsibly

Gambling should be entertainment, not a way to make money. 18+ only. If it stops being fun, take a break or seek help.

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