August 19 2021

Online gambling licenses in New Zealand: objectives, process and current state

Online gambling licenses in New Zealand

Are you already part of the growing number of fans of the online gambling segment in New Zealand?
Whether you are a veteran player or a beginner, we are pleased to tell you that there has never been a better time to play in our country.

Driven by mobility, online casinos and sports betting platforms immediately reach millions of players eager for moments of excitement and the prospect of enticing winnings.

But how did we get here after years of obscurity and pages of dubious reputation?

Where Did It All Start?

It is practically impossible to point out a time window for the availability of the first online casino games in New Zealand. These are as old as the emergence of the first international online casinos and it was enough to have an internet connection to start playing.

Until 2015 , it was precisely this problem that most affected anyone interested in playing. Without a dedicated legal framework, there were numerous risks and the likelihood of falling victim to fraud was considerable.

Legalize an Online Casino in New Zealand

Currently, any operator can apply for a license to operate with games of fortune and Chance or quota sports betting. An operator can even have both licenses simultaneously.

To do this, it must undergo an approval process as well as audits by the national gambling regulator. Only then is the payment of the numerous fees depending on the type of game or bets you want to make available.

Since operators are considerably taxed domestically, we have not seen an explosion in the number of online casinos in our market. However, as the number of players increases, so does the interest in creating new platforms.

Illegal online Casinos in New Zealand

Until 2015, it was possible to play at almost any online casino. Once the legislation regulating online gambling was drafted, everything changed. It provides for heavy penalties for unlicensed operators who target their offering to The New Zealand market.

For the protection of the players, it is also frequent to request the blocking of access from any national ISP (internet provider). The regulation of the market is designed to protect everyone involved and results in the credibility of online gambling.

Pros and cons of Licensing

The licensing of online gambling in New Zealand redefines the rules, currently having 15 separate licensed entities that offer games of fortune and Chance and / or quota betting.
We admit that some gambling entities that are not available in our country may sometimes seem appealing, but there are enormous risks associated with playing in them.

Get to know the pros and cons of a licensed online casino below:

Pros of Licensing Cons of Licensing
Personal data kept safe Less game diversity
Secure payment methods Smaller bonuses
Legal framework in case of non-compliance
Casinos audited by multiple entities

We are often tempted by fantastic offers from casinos outside of the strict list of licensed entities in New Zealand.

These can be in number, as is the case with casinos with thousands of slots which you've probably never heard of, bonuses with superb amounts , live casino games or other modalities that you will not find available in national territory.

On the other hand, it is also likely that many of these casinos will refuse to pay you winnings based on your geographical location, or simply because they do not act in good faith.

Where You Can Check Licenses

All quality online casinos licensees in New Zealand have in the footer of their pages a logo referring to the gambling regulator. Therefore, look for the symbol of the Srij, Gaming Regulation and Inspection Service.

To ensure its veracity, check the access to the official website of the regulator and consult the list of legal gambling entities in New Zealand. You should find them in more detail right here , or by consulting our list of recommended casinos.

Online gambling in New Zealand and the dollarpeia Union

The gambling industry, as well as the sports betting it continues its successful path. This has been ingrained in our culture for years, finding new expression in the online world.

As a result, the number of gambling operators has increased. Some of these are an extension of well-known names in the national game, as is the case with the Hibiscus Coast Sun Online , while other international operators such as the 888 Casino , a Lucky Days or Zodiac have established themselves among us a lot thanks to the growth of the gaming market.

We invite you to consult below the best offers in national online casinos, fully licensed and recommended by our team of experts:

All Slots Casino

All Slots Casino

100% up to$1000
New Bonus
Jackpot City casino New Zealand

Jackpot City Casino

$ 10 free + $500
No Deposit Bonus
Casino New Zealand

Casino-United Kingdom

10$ No Deposit

The opinion of the expert team of www.nz-rafting.co.nz

The main factor to have fun in an online casino is to always play safely. Your personal information and your money are precious. A licensed casino takes all necessary steps to ensure that this data remains anonymous at all times.

Likewise, the game catalog is audited by external entities and any legal non-compliance can lead to the suspension of the license. It is therefore in the best interest of these platforms that players are treated well, fairly and without associated risks.

Playing on unlicensed entities is the kind of gambling we will never recommend.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Yep. No one is going to stop you and there are methods to access those platforms. We do not recommend it at all, as you will be putting your own money and personal information at risk.


At the moment there are 15 fully licensed platforms, which offer games of fortune and Chance such as slots, the iconic Roulette or blackjack. To these we can still add the sports betting licenses to the quota.


Yep. There are excellent welcome bonus offers waiting for you at all legal online casinos in the country. Check out our recommendations today and have even more fun.