Once companies win rights to apply for online casino licences in New Zealand

The New Zealand Government has awarded 11 companies the right to submit an application for an online casino licence after an auction that concluded on 12 October 2026. Each application right reached a final price of NZ$15,000,000 and the auction was resolved after 10 rounds among 32 bidders; the auction ran from 29 September to 12 October 2026. The Department of Internal Affairs made clear the auction only determines who may apply and does not grant final licences.

## What each successful bidder won and how many online casino licences there will be

The new framework foresees the issuance of 15 online casino licences when the regulated system becomes operational in 2027. Baytree Interactive Limited, connected to the owner of Betway, Super Group, secured three application rights. Entain, through Playvia Gaming (NZ) Limited, obtained two rights; Rock Swift Group Limited, linked to the Casino Kingdom brand, also secured two. SkyCity Entertainment plc, the New Zealand land-based casino operator, won two rights via separate entities. The remaining six companies secured one slot each, among them Stake, SkillOnNet and LCKY Group.

## Timeline, application obligations and suspension of online casino operations

The 11 approved entities must file a “comprehensive application” with the regulator; requirements will include plans and strategies covering marketing, consumer protection and regulatory compliance. From 1 December 2026 any operator offering online casino games in New Zealand that has not submitted an application must cease offering those services in the market. The Government expects the “regulated and licensed online casino gambling system” to be fully operational in 2027.

## Taxation and charges that will affect commercial operations

The tax rate on online casino activity will rise from 12% to 16% from January 2027. On top of that charge there will be a 15% goods and services tax (GST) and an additional problem-gambling levy of 1.24%. These fiscal figures form part of the financial environment companies must incorporate into their commercial plans and into the applications they submit to the Department of Internal Affairs.

## Relationship between land operators, partners and the wagering monopoly

TAB New Zealand, operated in a joint venture with Entain, will continue as the monopoly operator for sports and racing wagering in the country. In 2023 TAB and Entain signed a 25-year strategic alliance intended to channel more funds to New Zealand's racing sector. Entain has since launched the betcha brand in New Zealand. Baytree Interactive Limited is recorded as connected to Super Group, owner of Betway; Rock Swift Group Limited is linked to the operator behind Casino Kingdom.

## Sector reaction and immediate repercussions

Jason Walbridge, chief executive officer of SkyCity Entertainment, said:

"We are excited to have been successful in the auction to apply for two licences and to take the next step to enter the online casino market in New Zealand."

Walbridge added that SkyCity will seek to combine trust in its brand with its local market knowledge to build an online operation.

## What applicants must prepare now

Companies that now hold the right to apply must prepare detailed operational and compliance documentation. The application must cover, at minimum:

• marketing strategies and promotional limits;

• consumer protection mechanisms and problem-gambling risk detection;

• compliance procedures and internal audit;

• corporate structure and financial capacity to meet the fiscal obligations.

Technical plans must also include integration with identity verification systems, age controls and processes to apply limits and self-exclusion.

## Context and upcoming regulatory milestones

The process run by the Department of Internal Affairs used an auction for application rights; that phase does not confer executive licences. The next stage will be the regulator's administrative and technical assessment of each application, in accordance with the criteria already published for the new regime. The deadline to cease unauthorised operations is 1 December 2026 and regulated operation is planned for 2027.

By Miguel Sandoval, Corresponsal de regulación.