New Zealand has taken a major step towards establishing a regulated online casino gambling market, with 11 companies selected to progress to the next stage of the country’s licensing process.
Announced by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) on 13 October 2026, the outcome follows a competitive auction involving 32 bidders. The process allocated the right to apply for up to 15 online casino gambling licences, with the final auction price reaching NZ$15 million per licence.
However, selection in the auction does not mean that a company has been granted a licence. Each successful participant must still complete a detailed application and regulatory assessment before any licence can be approved.
Which Companies Were Selected?
The DIA confirmed that the following 11 entities secured the right to progress to the licence application stage:
- Baytree Interactive Limited — three application rights
- Christchurch Online NZ Limited — one application right
- One Casino Limited — one application right
- Playvia Gaming (NZ) Limited — two application rights
- Rock Swift Group Limited — two application rights
- Rush Entertainment Limited — one application right
- Skill On Net Limited — one application right
- SkyCity NZ Online NO1 Limited — one application right
- SkyCity NZ Online NO2 Limited — one application right
- Stake New Zealand Limited — one application right
- TAB New Zealand — one application right
Together, these companies secured all 15 available application rights. The allocation allows some participants to pursue more than one licence, subject to the rules of the licensing framework.
The government has not yet published the final casino brands that may operate under the licences. Those details may change during the application process, and the approved brands are expected to appear on the official public register once licences have been granted.
What Happens Next?
The successful auction participants must now submit detailed applications and demonstrate that they are suitable to operate under New Zealand’s regulatory framework.
The assessment process includes requirements relating to business operations, advertising and marketing, consumer protection, compliance, and the prevention and minimisation of gambling-related harm.
The new legal framework is already in force, but implementation is taking place in stages. The DIA expects the fully licensed online casino gambling regime to become operational in 2027.
A further important milestone is 1 December 2026. Under the transitional rules described by the DIA, providers that have not applied for a licence must cease operating in New Zealand from that date. Providers with an application under consideration may continue subject to the applicable restrictions, including the prohibition on advertising.
These changes represent a significant development in New Zealand’s approach to online casino gambling, although the final list of approved operators and brands remains subject to the licensing process.
What Does This Mean for New Zealand’s Casino Industry?
The licensing process establishes a more formal framework for companies seeking to operate online casino gambling services in New Zealand. It also introduces regulatory requirements intended to strengthen consumer protection and ensure operators meet their legal obligations.
For readers interested in the wider casino landscape, our New Zealand casino guide provides information about land-based casinos across the country.
It is important to distinguish between the existing land-based casino sector and the separate licensing process for online casino gambling. The auction outcome does not mean that the companies listed above have already received approval to operate under a New Zealand online casino licence.
Where Can You Find Official Updates?
The Department of Internal Affairs is the primary source for information about the licensing process, regulatory requirements and future licence decisions.
Readers can follow the latest official information through the DIA’s Online Gambling for Providers page.
Until licences are formally granted, the successful auction participants should be described as companies with the right to apply, rather than as licensed online casino operators.
This article is for informational purposes only. Regulatory requirements and implementation dates may change as New Zealand’s licensing regime develops.