New Zealand Selects 11 Entities to Apply for 15 Online Casino Licences

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – Eleven entities have secured the right to apply for 15 online casino licences following a competitive auction that ended October 12. The results narrow the field of prospective operators and establish a NZ$15 million (US$8.4 million) price per licence, although regulatory approval is still required.

New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) published the successful bidders on October 13 after an auction involving 32 participants and 10 bidding rounds. The results mark another stage in the country’s transition toward a regulated online casino market, following an earlier invitation for interested gambling operators to participate in the licensing process.

SkyCity, Stake and Entain Among Successful Bidders

Baytree Interactive Limited, associated with Betway and its parent company Super Group, secured three application rights, the maximum permitted under the licensing framework. Playvia Gaming (NZ) Limited, linked to Entain, and Rock Swift Group Limited each obtained two rights.

SkyCity Entertainment Group secured two application rights through separate entities, SkyCity NZ Online NO1 Limited and SkyCity NZ Online NO2 Limited. The casino operator confirmed the result in an announcement to the New Zealand stock exchange, stating that it would proceed with the application process ahead of the anticipated market opening in 2027.

The remaining successful participants were Christchurch Online NZ Limited, One Casino Limited, Rush Entertainment Limited, Skill On Net Limited, Stake New Zealand Limited and TAB New Zealand, each receiving one application right.

TAB New Zealand’s inclusion is significant because its betting operations are managed by Entain under a long-term partnership. Together with Playvia Gaming’s two application rights, the result provides Entain-linked businesses with three potential positions in the regulated online casino market, subject to licensing approval.

However, the DIA has not confirmed which consumer-facing brands will operate under the licences. Applicants may revise their proposed brands during assessment, with approved names to be published on a public register once licences are granted.

Auction Sets NZ$15 Million Price per Licence

The auction used an ascending clock format, with the price increasing through successive rounds until the number of remaining bids matched the 15 available application rights. Each successful participant must now pay NZ$15 million per licence and complete a detailed regulatory application.

According to the DIA’s official licensing update, successful bidders must submit business plans alongside strategies addressing advertising, consumer protection, gambling harm prevention and regulatory compliance.

“Successful participation in the auction does not guarantee that a licence will be granted,” the department stated. Each application will undergo an assessment to determine whether the prospective operator is suitable and capable of meeting New Zealand’s regulatory requirements.

Licences will cover one brand each and remain valid for up to three years, with the possibility of renewal for another five years. Licensed operators will also face restrictions on advertising, player protection obligations and ongoing compliance requirements.

Unsuccessful Operators Face December 1 Deadline

The next stage introduces an approaching deadline for online casino businesses currently serving New Zealand customers. From December 1, 2026, providers that have not submitted a licence application must cease offering online casino gambling in the country.

Operators that submit applications may continue operating under a transitional exemption while their submissions are assessed, provided they comply with the prohibition on advertising. Those whose applications are subsequently rejected must exit the market.

The DIA expects the first licences to be issued in early 2027, with the regulated market becoming fully operational later that year. Approved operators will appear on a public register, allowing customers to identify businesses authorized under the new framework.

For the 11 successful auction participants, the immediate priority is completing their applications and demonstrating compliance with the country’s licensing standards. The final number of approved operators and the brands entering New Zealand’s regulated online casino market will depend on the outcome of those assessments.

RELATED TOPICS: Regulation