New Zealand's Department of Internal Affairs said on Tuesday that 11 companies have advanced in the country's online casino licensing process. The auction drew 32 bidders and ran 10 rounds. Operators that did not qualify must cease operations by 1 December 2026. The regulated market is due to open in 2027.
Winners bid a combined NZ$15 million ($8.4 million) for 15 license rights. One right covers a single brand for three years, with an option to extend by another five. Successful bidders still have to go through an application and due diligence process. The DIA has not disclosed the brands attached to the rights and has not confirmed a launch date.
Who holds the rights
SkyCity took two rights through separate subsidiaries, extending its land-based business into regulated online. SkillOnNet, based in Malta, and LCKY, formerly Glitnor Group, each took one; LCKY's came through One Casino. Christchurch Online NZ, a Maltese company with no link to Christchurch Casino, also qualified. Rock Swift Group, previously licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, holds two rights and Rush Entertainment one. Super Group, the owner of Betway, took the maximum of three through Baytree Interactive.
Entain holds two rights through Playvia Gaming (NZ) and one more through TAB New Zealand, which it runs under a 25-year strategic partnership in sports betting. The group, led by Stella David, sees cross-sell opportunities from its sports monopoly and remains the only operator allowed to sell casino products to betting customers. Blackrush Casino and FoxySpins are already live. Stake, a crypto-oriented operator that expanded into Alberta, Argentina and Mexico this year, qualified as well.
What it means
The pool starts narrow: 15 rights, one brand each. For affiliate managers that means long negotiations with a short list of operators and little room to move on revshare. Anyone still taking New Zealand traffic without a license has until 1 December 2026 to wind it down.
