Last updated: 9 October 2026
Quick answer: The NZ online casino registration icon is a mark that every casino licensed by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) must display. It must appear as soon as each page of the casino’s website loads, and it must link to the casino’s entry on the DIA’s public register. If a casino shows no icon, or the icon does not link to the official register, the casino is not licensed in New Zealand.
Registration Icon Rules at a Glance
| Where | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Websites | Visible when each page first loads, including the home and login pages, without you clicking anything |
| Link | Must lead to the casino’s licence details on the DIA’s public register |
| Apps | On the launch screen and key screens, such as game listings and account pages |
| Video and TV ads | Icon plus an audio mark |
| Print and image ads | Icon |
| Radio and audio ads | Audio mark |
The DIA is finalising the exact size, placement and accessibility rules with the operators that won places in the licence auction. We will add the official design here once it is published.
How to Check If an Online Casino Is Licensed in NZ
- Look for the icon on the home page as soon as it loads.
- Click the icon. It should open the DIA’s public register on a government website.
- Check the details. The casino name and website on the register must match the site you are on.
- Search the register yourself if the icon is missing or the link looks wrong. A fake icon may link to a page on the casino’s own website instead.
When Will You See the Icon?
The DIA expects to issue the first licences from early 2027. Until then, no online casino holds a New Zealand licence, so no site can show a genuine icon yet. Operators that won a place in the licence auction may serve New Zealand players while their applications are assessed, but they may not advertise until they are licensed.
Why the Icon Matters
Licensed casinos must follow New Zealand’s player protection rules. These include:
- identity checks to confirm every player is 18 or over;
- deposit, spending and time limits;
- self-exclusion that starts within 24 hours;
- no credit card payments and no autoplay;
- a complaints route through the DIA.
A casino without the icon does not have to follow any of these rules, and the DIA cannot help you with a dispute.
What to Do If You See a Fake Icon or an Unlicensed Ad
You can report unlawful online casino advertising to the DIA by emailing onlinegambling@dia.govt.nz. Complaints about a licensed casino can go to the casino first, then to the DIA. Penalties for unlawful advertising reach NZ$5 million.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the NZ online casino registration icon look like?
The DIA has not yet published the final design. It is finalising the specifications with the auction winners. We will update this page with the official image.
Can a casino show the icon now?
No genuine icon can appear before a casino is licensed, and the first licences are expected from early 2027.
Where is the DIA’s register of licensed online casinos?
The DIA will publish it on its website once licences are granted. The icon on each licensed casino must link to it.
Do casino ads have to show the icon too?
Yes. Visual ads must show the icon, video ads need the icon and an audio mark, and audio-only ads need the audio mark.
What if my casino has no icon after early 2027?
It is not licensed in New Zealand. Consider moving your money, and read our guide on what happens to your offshore casino account.
Read our full guide to online casinos in New Zealand and the DIA’s information for players.
This article is for information only and is not legal advice. If gambling is causing you problems, call the Gambling Helpline on 0800 654 655 or text 8006.
