DigiPlus Withdraws from New Zealand Online Gaming Licence Auction
Philippine-listed group quits final rounds after market review; no change to expansion plans.
Key Takeaways
- DigiPlus Interactive Corp withdrew from the final rounds of New Zealand’s online gaming licence auction citing market analysis.
- The auction ran from 29 September to 12 October with 32 bidders and concluded after 10 rounds.
- Eleven entities won the right to apply, and the final price reached NZD 15 million (about US$8.4m) per permit.
- Winning bidders must pass a regulatory assessment by the Department of Internal Affairs before licences can be granted.
- DigiPlus said the withdrawal will not affect its existing businesses or its international expansion plans.
DigiPlus Interactive Corp confirmed it has withdrawn from the final rounds of New Zealand’s auction for online casino licences, the company said in a filing to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Wednesday. The Philippines-listed operator cited a market review and a reassessment of potential investment value as the reasons for the decision, and said the move will not affect its existing operations or derail its international expansion strategy.
What DigiPlus disclosed to investors
In its filing to the Philippine Stock Exchange, DigiPlus said: “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.” The company added the withdrawal would have no impact on its ongoing businesses and would not change its plans to expand abroad.
DigiPlus had earlier submitted an expression of interest in August to apply for an online gaming licence in New Zealand. The latest announcement therefore represents a reversal of that initial move, although the firm reiterated its commitment to international growth.
The New Zealand auction in brief
New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs ran a competitive auction for the right to apply for online casino licences under the country’s new regulatory framework. The auction took place between 29 September and 12 October and concluded after 10 rounds. A total of 32 bidders participated.
Eleven entities secured the right to apply for licences. The final auction price reached NZD 15 million per permit, equivalent to about US$8.4 million. The auction offered a maximum of 15 online casino licences.
Winning bidders still must pass a regulatory assessment conducted by the Department of Internal Affairs before a licence can be granted. The licensing regime is scheduled to be fully operational in 2027.
How DigiPlus fits into its wider footprint
DigiPlus operates online gaming platforms in the Philippines and holds licences in both Brazil and South Africa. The company has been pursuing overseas opportunities and in August appointed global advisory firm Teneo as a strategic adviser to support its international expansion plans.
In late September, DigiPlus addressed regulatory shifts in Brazil, noting that newly announced measures — including a ban on online gaming and sports betting reported in that market — were unlikely to have a material effect on its business. The group had relaunched its operations in Brazil less than three months before that statement.
Commercial and regulatory context for the auction
The New Zealand auction is part of a formal move to regulate online casino activity under a new licensing framework. The Department of Internal Affairs has made the auction results public to underline the competitive interest and the upfront financial commitment required to obtain the right to apply for a licence.
The combination of a high final bid price — NZD 15 million per permit — and a subsequent regulatory assessment means successful bidders will face both significant initial costs and a substantive vetting process before they may operate. That sequence of auction then licensing is designed to limit the field to operators prepared to make a large up-front investment and to meet New Zealand’s suitability standards.
Implications for DigiPlus and similar bidders
DigiPlus framed its exit as a market-value decision rather than a retreat from its international strategy. The firm explicitly said the withdrawal will not cause any deviation from its expansion plans.
For other bidders, the auction demonstrated two constraints: the capital required to secure the right to apply, and the continued regulatory scrutiny that follows. Operators weighing participation in New Zealand must now balance the NZD 15 million auction prices observed in October against the costs and timelines of the regulatory assessment and the fact the regime becomes fully operational in 2027.
What to watch next
The Department of Internal Affairs will move on to its regulatory assessments of the 11 successful bidders. The timeline for those assessments and the precise criteria the department will apply remain matters for the regulator. The auction outcome is public record and marks a significant step in New Zealand’s plan to open a regulated online casino market.
DigiPlus’s remaining international positions — the Philippines platforms and licences in Brazil and South Africa — and the appointment of Teneo as strategic adviser show the company intends to pursue overseas opportunities even after withdrawing from this auction.
“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 said in its PSE filing.
Regulatory affairs teams and bidders will now monitor how the Department of Internal Affairs progresses its suitability assessments and how the successful applicants proceed to secure licences under the 2027 timetable. For coverage of regulatory developments and auction outcomes see the regulation and news sections for industry reaction and timeline updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did DigiPlus withdraw from the New Zealand auction?
DigiPlus withdrew after conducting a market analysis and reassessing market values, the company said in a filing to the Philippine Stock Exchange; it characterised the decision as a valuation-based abstention from the final rounds.
When did the New Zealand auction take place and how many bidders participated?
The auction took place between 29 September and 12 October and attracted 32 bidders, concluding after 10 rounds, according to the Department of Internal Affairs.
What was the final auction price per permit?
The final auction price reached NZD 15 million per permit, which the source article cites as roughly US$8.4 million.
Will DigiPlus’s withdrawal change its international strategy?
No; DigiPlus stated the withdrawal will have no impact on its existing businesses and will not result in any deviation from its international expansion strategy.
What are the next steps for successful bidders in New Zealand?
Winning bidders must undergo a regulatory assessment by the Department of Internal Affairs before licences can be granted, and the new licensing regime is expected to be fully operational in 2027.
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About the author
Eleanor Whitfield
Regulatory Affairs Correspondent
Eleanor Whitfield tracks gambling legislation, licensing decisions, and regulator enforcement across key markets — from the UKGC, MGA, and Germany's GGL to Spain's DGOJ and the state-by-state map in the Americas. The reporting answers three questions precisely: what changed, where, and who it affects, with jurisdictions, effective dates, and penalty figures named exactly as published. Compliance officers and operators read Eleanor Whitfield to know which rulebook moved before their next board meeting.
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