The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has now confirmed the key dates for Stage one of New Zealand's online casino gambling licensing process. The expression of interest (EOI) window opens on 17 July 2026 and closes at 11:59pm NZST on 14 August 2026. Only providers with an accepted EOI will be able to proceed to the Stage two auction. The window to prepare is short.

In our earlier alert (24 June 2026), we noted that the EOI process was expected to open in late July 2026. The DIA has now brought that forward by approximately two weeks, making preparation more urgent. 

Detailed guidance packs providing a comprehensive overview of the legislation, regulations, and Minimum Standards are expected to be published this month.

What do you need to submit?

The EOI is a detailed and document-heavy exercise. The DIA has emphasised that providers should begin preparing now. The full requirements are set out in the DIA’s EOI guidance document, which should be read alongside the DIA's updated Q&As document. 

At a high level, each entity submitting an EOI must provide:

• Entity documents: Incorporation and constitutional documents, ownership and management structure diagrams, capital verification evidence (to demonstrate access to a minimum level of capital of NZD7.5 million), and a recent credit check.
• Key officer documents: Certified photo ID, criminal record checks from every jurisdiction in which the officer has spent six or more consecutive months in the past five years, and a recent credit check.

Register on GETS now

All three stages of the licensing process will be conducted through the Government Electronic Tenders Service (GETS). 

The DIA strongly recommends that interested providers register on GETS immediately if they have not already done so. Registration takes time and cannot be left until the EOI opens. Importantly, each EOI submission requires its own separate GETS user account.

An update on the regulations and transitional market

The Online Casino Gambling Regulations 2026 came into force on 3 July 2026. However, most obligations under those regulations apply only to operators who hold a licence. Providers operating in the current transitional market are not required to comply with the obligations relating to harm minimisation, consumer protection, or advertising and marketing – with one important exception: advertising without a licence is prohibited under section 10 of the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026.

The DIA has clarified that providers consolidating brands during the transitional period must not actively encourage consumers to shift from one platform to another, as this would constitute advertising under the Act.

The DIA has indicated that, following the auction, it will work with the (up to) 15 auction winners to support the transition to the licensed market. Where relevant, the DIA proposes to publish statements identifying successful providers and the brands they intend to operate, and may request providers publish pre-approved statements to their existing customers. The DIA has confirmed that such statements will not constitute advertising as they are communications by or on behalf of the Secretary.

Licences are expected to be issued from early 2027. Licensed operators will then be required to comply with the full suite of obligations under the legislation and regulations.

Key upcoming dates at a glance

September 2026 (auction) and October 2026 (licence applications) remain the expected timeframes for Stages two and three respectively.

What should you be doing right now?

With the EOI opening in just over a week, providers who are considering entering the New Zealand market should be:

• registering on GETS if not already done;
• reviewing the EOI guidance document and updated Q&As in detail;
• gathering documentation to support EOI – noting that criminal record checks and credit checks must be dated within 90 days of submission, and that the DIA has confirmed that it will not accept provisional or preliminary documents, even where formal overseas documents cannot reasonably be obtained within the EOI timeframe; 
• confirming the identity of all key officers and initiating criminal record checks across all relevant jurisdictions; and
• confirming that the NZD19,000 (excl. GST) EOI fee and the requirements of the application can be met within the timeframe.

The EOI stage is not merely a preliminary hurdle – it is the gateway to the auction and, ultimately, to holding one of up to 15 licences available in the New Zealand market. Only providers with an accepted EOI will progress. There is no right of response for a rejected EOI, therefore, it is important that providers ensure their response is complete and accurate at the time it is made.

How we can help

MinterEllisonRuddWatts has been closely tracking the development of New Zealand's online casino gambling regulatory framework. We have prepared a comprehensive Obligations Summary mapping key licence holder obligations under the Act and Regulations. To receive a copy, please contact our team. If you are considering entering the New Zealand online casino gambling market, or if you have questions about the EOI process or your obligations under the new regime, please get in touch.