New Zealand's Department of Internal Affairs announced on Tuesday that eleven operators have earned the opportunity to apply for online casino licenses as part of recently concluded auction activities. The auction, which was competitive and lasted for ten rounds, attracted 32 bidders, ultimately resulting in a price of NZ$15 million (US$8.42 million) per license for the 15 available licenses.
Among the successful bidders are notable companies such as Baytree Interactive Limited (Betway) which secured three rights to apply, and Entain's Playvia Gaming (NZ) Limited which obtained two rights. Other participants include Christchurch Online NZ Limited, One Casino Limited, Rock Swift Group Limited (also with two rights), Rush Entertainment Limited, Skill On Net Limited, and two different SkyCity NZ Online entities. Stake and TAB New Zealand, which is a joint venture involving Entain, also received rights to apply for licenses.
The auction utilized an ascending clock format to ensure transparency, incrementally raising prices while allowing bidders to express continued interest at each step. Although each license was sold for $15 million, winning the right to apply does not guarantee that an operator will ultimately receive a formal license. Each successful bidder must now go through a comprehensive application and regulatory assessment process.
The specific brands that may operate under these licenses will be disclosed publicly after licenses are granted.
Stake New Zealand Limited, part of the global Stake sportsbook and casino brand, expressed excitement about entering the regulated New Zealand market. A representative highlighted that the auction win marks a significant move in Stake’s international expansion efforts, which recently included entries into Alberta, Argentina, and Mexico. “It’s a strong fit for Stake and another important step in growing our presence globally,” said the spokesperson.
Entain, which aimed for three licenses but only secured two, has indicated its commitment to the New Zealand market. CEO Stella David emphasized the unique position of Entain, as it is the sole online operator capable of cross-selling between sports betting and iGaming due to its exclusive brand TAB. Despite prior doubts about TAB's ability to apply given its betting monopoly, the company is now preparing to submit its official application alongside other successful bidders.
This auction represents the second phase of New Zealand's three-part iGaming liberalization process. The initial step involved an expression of interest (EOI) window that began in March 2023, requiring operators to prove they can meet specific compliance criteria, such as having at least NZ$7.5 million in capital and paying a non-refundable fee of NZ$19,000.
Operators that do not apply for a license by December will be required to cease operations by December 1, and the final stage of the process, where licenses will be awarded based on auction payments and the completion of a comprehensive application, is projected to take place in early 2027.
