11 companies granted right to apply for New Zealand online casino licences
Super Group, Entain and SkyCity have secured application rights as unsuccessful operators face a December deadline to exit the market.
Key takeaways:
- 11 companies have been selected for the right to apply for online casino licences after an auction involving 32 bidders across 10 rounds. The final auction price reached NZD15m (US$8.4m) per licence, with 15 application slots available.
- Baytree Interactive, owned by Super Group, secured three application rights, the maximum permitted per operator.
- Successful applicants are expected to receive three-year online casino licences in early 2027, subject to regulatory evaluation.
- Operators that did not secure application rights must cease online casino operations in New Zealand by December 1 2026.
New Zealand.- A total of 11 companies have won the right to apply for New Zealand’s new online casino licences following the completion of a competitive auction.
The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) confirmed that the auction phase attracted 32 bidders across 10 rounds, setting the final price at NZD15m (US$8.4m) per licence for the 15 available slots under the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026.
Baytree Interactive, owned by Super Group, secured three rights to apply, the maximum allowed for a single operator. Meanwhile, Entain’s subsidiary Playvia Gaming, Rock Swift Group, and SkyCity each secured two rights. Single licence rights were awarded to Christchurch Online NZ, One Casino, Rush Entertainment, Skill On Net, Stake New Zealand, and TAB New Zealand.
Participation in the auction does not guarantee a final licence. The selected companies must now undergo a comprehensive evaluation process covering business plans, advertising strategies, consumer protection, and harm minimisation measures.
Successful applicants are expected to receive their three-year operating licences in early 2027.
Operators that failed to secure application rights or did not participate in the auction must cease all online casino operations in the country by 1 December 2026. Those moving forward with applications will be allowed to continue operating until final licensing decisions are made, though without advertising.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- How much does an online casino licence cost in New Zealand? The auction set the price at NZD15m (US$8.4m) per licence. The process offered 15 application slots.
- Which companies secured the right to apply for New Zealand online casino licences? The 11 selected companies are Baytree Interactive, Playvia Gaming, Rock Swift Group, SkyCity, Christchurch Online NZ, One Casino, Rush Entertainment, Skill On Net, Stake New Zealand No1 and No2 and TAB New Zealand. The allocation of application rights varied by company.
- When will New Zealand issue online casino licences? Successful applicants are expected to receive three-year operating licences in early 2027 after completing the regulatory evaluation process.
- When must unsuccessful online casino operators leave New Zealand? Operators that did not participate in the auction or failed to secure application rights must cease online casino operations by December 1 2026. Selected applicants may continue operating while awaiting licensing decisions, but cannot advertise.
