New Zealand’s online casino licensing auction has concluded, with 11 entities securing the right to apply for the country’s 15 available licences at a final price of NZ$15m per licence. The list includes big names such as Tab, Stake and SkyCity.
The auction attracted 32 bidders, but successful participation does not guarantee a licence. All 11 entities must now undergo a detailed assessment before any licensing decisions are made.
The brands that each applicant aims to operate under the licences have not yet been announced. Successful auction participants include:
-Baytree Interactive Limited – 3 rights to apply
-Christchurch Online NZ Limited
-One Casino Limited
-Playvia Gaming (NZ) Limited – 2 rights to apply
-Rock Swift Group Limited – 2 rights to apply
-Rush Entertainment Limited
-Skill On Net Limited
-SkyCity NZ Online NO1 Limited
-SkyCity NZ Online NO2 Limited
-Stake New Zealand Limited
-Tab New Zealand
Successful bidders can proceed with their licence applications by paying the NZ$15m fee and submitting a detailed application. This must include a business plan and strategies covering advertising and marketing, consumer protection, gambling harm prevention and regulatory compliance.
Starting 1 December 2026, any provider that has not applied for a licence must stop offering online casino gambling services in New Zealand. Providers who have submitted a licence application will be exempt from advertising until the outcome of their application is determined.
In September's magazine issue, Global Gaming Insider looked in depth at what to expect from the new market.
Player protection will, understandably, be a central element of New Zealand’s new regulatory framework
