New Zealand casino auction: 11 firms win right to apply

New Zealand's auction for online casino licences closed at NZ$15 million a licence: 11 companies won the right to apply for the 15 licences on offer, the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) said on 13 October. Among them are Stake New Zealand Limited, TAB New Zealand and Playvia Gaming (NZ) Limited, an Entain subsidiary according to Next.io.

The word that matters is apply. DIA says success in the auction "does not guarantee that a licence will be granted." Each winner now has to pass a full application and assessment before any licence is decided.

Who got a seat

The auction had 32 bidders and ran for 10 rounds. DIA names these successful companies:

• 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

That adds up to 15 rights to apply, for 15 licences. Three is the cap: no one can hold more than three licences in this round.

DIA has not published the brands behind the companies. Approved brands appear on a public register once licences are granted. An Entain spokesperson told Next.io the group had "progressed with our BlackRush and Foxy brands, alongside TAB NZ, which is backed by Entain." A Stake spokesperson told Next.io: "This is a great fit for Stake and another important step in expanding our global presence."

How the licences work

Each licence covers a single brand and runs for up to three years, with a possible renewal of five years. The auction ran as an ascending clock: the price rose in steps until the number of bidders still in matched the 15 licences. To apply, a winner pays the auction price and files a full application, with a business plan and strategies for advertising, consumer protection, harm minimisation and compliance. DIA expects the full licensing system to be operating in 2027.

The line on 1 December

The date that matters is 1 December 2026. From then, DIA says, operators must "cease online casino gambling in New Zealand if they have not applied for a licence." Operators whose application is being assessed may keep operating until a decision, but without advertising. An operator whose application is declined has to leave the market.

Online casino advertising to customers in New Zealand is already prohibited, and no new providers may enter before the system starts.

What it means for players

Nothing changes on your account today. If you play on an offshore site, what matters is whether it files an application by 1 December. That list is not public yet. For how another regulated market handled its cutoff, see Alberta's transition period.

18+. Gambling can be addictive. If it stops being fun, see our responsible play page.