Entain, SkyCity and Stake Secure Rights to Apply for New Zealand Online Casino Licences
Auction concludes at NZ$15m per licence as 11 operators advance in New Zealand’s landmark online casino licensing process
New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has completed the competitive auction for the country’s first regulated online casino market, with major international operators Entain, SkyCity Entertainment Group and Stake among 11 entities to progress to the application stage. The ascending-clock auction, which began on 29 September 2026, attracted 32 bidders and concluded after 10 rounds, with the final price reaching NZ$15 million (approximately US$8.4 million) per licence.
Auction Structure and Outcomes
New Zealand’s Online Casino Gambling Act 2026, which came into force on 1 May 2026, established the country’s first licensing regime for online casino operations. Under the framework, a maximum of 15 licences were made available through the auction process, with each entity permitted to secure the right to apply for up to three licences. Only one brand may be operated under each licence.
SkyCity emerged as one of the most aggressive participants, securing rights to two licences. If the operator proceeds with both applications, it faces a total outlay of NZ$30 million in licence fees, excluding GST. London Stock Exchange-listed Entain also gained the right to pursue two licences, while Stake, the Australia-founded operator known for its cryptocurrency-enabled platform, reportedly secured a single licence, consistent with its stated intention to pursue only one position in the market.
What Winning Does Not Guarantee
Industry participants have been cautioned that an auction win does not automatically confer an operating licence. Successful bidders must now complete the formal application process, which requires demonstrating compliance across business conduct, marketing practices and consumer protection standards. The DIA has set a strict application deadline of 1 December 2026, and the regulator has indicated that providers will be required to cease unlicensed online casino activity as the regime takes effect.
The regulatory framework also imposes ongoing fiscal obligations. Licensees will be subject to a 16% online gambling duty alongside a 3.5% levy, reflecting the government’s intent to capture tax revenue from a sector that has previously operated offshore and outside New Zealand’s direct legal oversight.
The auction represents the culmination of a legislative process that began with the introduction of the Online Casino Gambling Bill in mid-2025. Interest in the market has been substantial, with operators including bet365, evoke, Super Group, SpinBet and Spin City among those that signalled interest during the expression of interest stage, which closed on 14 August.
The licensing process has not been without criticism. Māori advocacy group Pou Tangata previously called on the government to abandon the auction plans, and concerns have been raised domestically about the potential volume of online casino advertising once the market opens. These objections underscore the balancing act regulators face between channelling offshore gambling activity into a supervised framework and managing potential social harms.
Licensed operators are expected to commence trading in 2027, marking the formal launch of New Zealand’s regulated online casino market.
