DigiPlus withdraws from New Zealand online gambling licence auction
The Philippine-listed firm pulled back after a market-value review; final bid reached NZD15m per permit.
Key Takeaways
- DigiPlus Interactive Corp announced on 15 October 2026 that it withdrew from the final rounds of New Zealand’s online gaming licence auction.
- The New Zealand auction ran from 29 September to 12 October 2026, had 32 bidders and concluded after 10 rounds.
- The final price per permit reached NZD15 million (US$8.4 million) and 11 entities obtained the right to apply for a licence.
- Awardees must pass the Department of Internal Affairs’ regulatory assessment before licences are granted; the new regime is expected to be fully operational in 2027.
DigiPlus Interactive Corp announced on 15 October 2026 that it will not continue its bid in the final rounds of the auction for the right to apply for an online gaming licence in New Zealand. The company, listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange, said the decision followed a market analysis and assessment of potential returns and will not affect its existing operations or its international expansion strategy.
By Miguel Sandoval, Corresponsal de regulación.
Confirmed withdrawal and the company’s explanation
DigiPlus communicated its decision through a filing with the Philippine Stock Exchange on Wednesday. In the filing the company stated verbatim:
"After further market analysis and determination of market values, the company has decided to abstain from the final rounds of the New Zealand auction on the right to apply for an online gaming licence." — DigiPlus Interactive Corp
The company explained that the abstention followed a review of the market and of the values forming in the auction. It added that the decision will have "no impact" on its ongoing operations and will not cause deviations from its international expansion plan.
DigiPlus had disclosed in early August that it submitted an expression of interest to apply for an online gaming licence in New Zealand. The withdrawal announcement represents a change in its plans for that market, although the firm reaffirmed its commitment to expanding beyond the Philippines.
Context on the New Zealand auction and key figures
New Zealand concluded a competitive auction for up to 15 online casino licences under a new regulatory framework. According to the Department of Internal Affairs of New Zealand, the auction ran from 29 September to 12 October 2026, drew 32 bidders and finished after 10 rounds.
Eleven entities secured the right to apply for a licence. The final price reached per permit was NZD15,000,000 (equivalent to US$8.4 million). Awardees must still undergo a regulatory assessment before licences can be granted. The new licensing regime is expected to be fully operational in 2027.
Regulatory implications and the post-auction process
Winning the auction confers only the right to apply; it does not guarantee licence grant. Winners will face the Department of Internal Affairs’ evaluation process, which will verify integrity, financial capacity and other regulatory criteria set by the new framework.
Known timeline milestones are:
Auction: 29 September–12 October 2026.
Number of bidders: 32.
Auction rounds: 10.
Rights awarded: 11 entities.
Final price per permit: NZD15 million (US$8.4 million).
DigiPlus’s position in markets and strategic advisory
DigiPlus operates online gaming platforms in the Philippines and has sought opportunities in overseas markets. The group also holds gaming licences in Brazil and South Africa. In August 2026 the company appointed global advisory firm Teneo as strategic adviser to support its international expansion plans.
In late September DigiPlus said regulatory developments in Brazil, including a measure announced that bans online gambling and sports betting, were unlikely to have a material impact on its business. The company had relaunched operations in Brazil less than three months before that statement.
What the withdrawal means for operators and future applicants
DigiPlus’s withdrawal illustrates the risk assessment operators make when acquisition prices for permits reach high levels. The final outlay of NZD15 million per permit sets a price reference point for other companies seeking to enter the New Zealand market.
For candidates still interested, immediate post-auction steps include preparing documentation for the Department of Internal Affairs’ regulatory assessment and demonstrating solvency and adequate compliance controls. The regime’s full operability in 2027 sets the timetable by which operators must be ready to meet all licence obligations.
What comes next for DigiPlus and the New Zealand market
DigiPlus maintains its intention to expand internationally, according to its statement. The company did not indicate new bids or concrete alternatives to participation in New Zealand.
For New Zealand, the auction and the price achieved show strong commercial interest in operating online casino licences within a scheme supervised by the Department of Internal Affairs, with the expectation that the regime will be fully in force during 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did DigiPlus decide to withdraw from the New Zealand auction?
DigiPlus chose to abstain from the final rounds after a market analysis and valuation review, according to its filing to the Philippine Stock Exchange on 15 October 2026. The company said the decision will not affect its current operations or international expansion strategy.
When was the auction held and how many bidders participated?
The auction was held from 29 September to 12 October 2026 and attracted 32 bidders. The Department of Internal Affairs reported that the process concluded after 10 rounds.
What was the final price per permit and how many entities won the right to apply?
The final price per permit was NZD15 million, equivalent to US$8.4 million, and 11 entities won the right to submit an application for a licence, according to the Department of Internal Affairs.
What steps follow before licences can be granted after the auction?
Winners must undergo the Department of Internal Affairs’ regulatory assessment, which will verify integrity, financial capacity and compliance controls. Only after those assessments are satisfactorily completed can licences be granted; the regime aims for full operation in 2027.
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About the author
Miguel Sandoval
Regulatory Affairs Correspondent
Miguel Sandoval tracks gambling legislation, licensing, and regulator enforcement — from Spain's DGOJ and the Latin American authorities to the UKGC, the MGA, and the state-by-state map in North America. The reports answer three questions precisely — what changed, where, and who it affects — with jurisdictions, dates, and penalties cited exactly as published. Operators and compliance officers read Miguel Sandoval to know which rulebook moved before their next meeting.
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