New Zealand's Department of Internal Affairs has published the list of 11 companies through to the final round for online casino licences. Each has been invited to apply for one of the 15 licences available under the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026. A licence costs $8.4 million.
The list: Baytree Interactive (Betway), Playvia Gaming (Entain), Stake New Zealand, TAB New Zealand, two SkyCity applicants, SkyCity NZ Online NO1 and NO2, plus Christchurch Online NZ, One Casino, Rock Swift Group, Rush Entertainment and Skill On Net. All of them won the auction for the right to apply. That does not guarantee a licence.
Now comes detailed vetting. An application has to carry a business plan, marketing strategies and player protection measures. The department says auction success is only the first step; the final decision follows assessment of all documents.
SkyCity Entertainment chief executive Jason Walbridge said the company is counting on New Zealanders' trust in the SkyCity brand and on its knowledge of the local market. Two applications will let the operator strengthen its position in the online casino segment.
