SkyCity Backs New Zealand Government’s Plan To Legalize iGaming In 2026

There has been a lot of online casino regulation underway in New Zealand, and now SkyCity backs New Zealand’s new plan to legalize iGaming in 2026. This would allow more real money online casinos to operate in New Zealand.

The ruling National Party government in New Zealand has put forward a proposal to legalize iGaming in the country and the response so far has mostly been positive. This is the first time that New Zealand has made plans to legislate the online gaming industry and will now look to develop a regulatory framework for the iGaming market.

NZ Losing Millions To Unlicensed Operators

While online gambling is currently banned in New Zealand, it hasn’t stopped offshore gaming operators from targeting Kiwis with dozens of offshore based online casinos. The Labour party which lost the election in 2023 were not in favour of legalizing online gaming even though they were aware that illegal iGaming market in New Zealand was generating millions of dollars for offshore iGaming operators.

The National party has estimated that it could bring in as much as NZ$179 million from offshore gaming operators by putting in place a regulatory framework that would force them to report their annual revenues. These revenues will come in via iGaming license fees, GST and license renewal fees.

Brooke van Velden, Minister of Internal Affairs for New Zealand said that once they approve an iGaming regulatory framework, unlicensed offshore gaming operators would no longer be able to offer online casino services in New Zealand. Operators tried to do so once the market was legalized, would be doing so illegally and be held accountable.

iGaming Framework To Be Ready In 2026

The current plan is for New Zealand to put together an iGaming framework that would result in iGaming legislation and a regulated online casino market. Brooke van Velden did reveal a few details as to what a regulated iGaming market could end up looking like.

New Zealand will limit the number of licensed iGaming operators and will not allow them to offer online casino, sports betting and lottery services together. Online casino games must be separate from lottery and sports betting. The license process will be awarded via an auction process and only bidders who have met the regulatory requirements will be allowed to participate in the auction.

Kiwis over the age of 18 will only be allowed to register at these licensed online casinos. Licensed casino operators will be allowed to advertise their iGaming products and services and their advertising will have strict requirements imposed.

A licensed iGaming market in New Zealand will put a stop to black market operations, bring in millions in revenue for the government and also provide better protection services to Kiwis.

Van Velden pointed out that legalizing iGaming in the country was not to increase the number of gamblers in the country but to ensure that they were able to play online casino games in a regulated and safe gaming environment. It would also help the NZ government to provide better help to players who have problem gambling concerns.

This proposal to legalize iGaming in New Zealand will go through a select committee process during which members of the public will be able to provide feedback on the proposed iGaming regulatory framework. If things go as per plan, New Zealand will look to launch its regulated iGaming framework in 2026.

SkyCity Backs Proposal To Legalize iGaming

SkyCity Entertainment Group (SkyCity) is one of the biggest land based casino operators in New Zealand. SkyCity welcomed the proposal to legalize online gambling in the country as the operator has been a long-time proponent of legalized iGaming in New Zealand.

In a statement, Jason Walbridge, CEO SkyCity said “We are supportive of an online regulatory system that is designed to minimise harm, support tax collection, and provide consumer protections to New Zealanders. Strict limitations on advertising, banning sponsorship, separating online casinos and sports betting, and having probity checks for operators are all good ways of ensuring a market that looks after Kiwis.”

Walbridge went on to say “Currently, there is a lot of money going offshore that should be staying in New Zealand as tax and community benefits. We hope this will be a key part of any future framework.”

SkyCity also backed the government’s idea to limit the number of iGaming licenses saying it was a sensible move given the size of New Zealand’s population which is around 5.2 million.