New Zealand names 11 operators cleared to apply for 15 online casino licences

New Zealand has published the list of operators that won the right to apply for one of the 15 online casino licences on offer under its new gambling framework. Eleven companies were approved, among them Entain, SkyCity, Stake and Betway. Betway, through Baytree Interactive Ltd, secured three rights to apply, the most of any bidder.

Entain, through Playvia Gaming Ltd, and Rock Swift Group Ltd each hold two rights. The remaining approved entities are Christchurch Online NZ Ltd, One Casino Ltd, Rush Entertainment Ltd, Skill On Net Ltd, Stake New Zealand Ltd and TAB New Zealand. SkyCity Entertainment has two subsidiaries on the list, SkyCity NZ Online NO1 Ltd and SkyCity NZ Online NO2 Ltd.

The candidates emerged from a 10-round auction that drew 32 bidders in total. The price of an individual licence was set at NZ$15m (about GBP 6.4m). The approvals do not guarantee a licence. Each company must now give the Department of Internal Affairs the documentation needed for a full business assessment, followed by a licensing decision. Besides the fee, applicants are expected to supply their domestic business plans, marketing strategies and consumer protection measures, plus any other details the DIA requests.

The transition period ends on 1 December 2026. Brands that have not applied for a licence by then must stop offering online gambling to people in New Zealand. Those with applications pending may continue until a decision is made, subject to a temporary advertising restriction. The new regime was introduced on 3 July 2026 to bring a historically grey sector into regulation, and the new online licences are expected to take effect on 1 July 2027. Sports betting stays under the 20-year exclusive control of Entain.

Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden said the legislation supports the coalition agreement by closing the gambling tax loophole and requiring licensed online casino operators to pay tax like any other business in the country. She said the tools would ensure New Zealand law applies to all online casino gambling available locally, regardless of where operators are based.

A Stake spokesperson said the company was excited about the opportunity as the market moves towards regulation, calling it a strong fit and another step in its global growth. The spokesperson noted that Stake has expanded this year into Alberta, Argentina and Mexico.