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New Zealand Casino Auction Names 11 Applicants for 15 Licences at NZ$15m Each

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Altay Celikkaya

Content Manager

Updated: 14/10/26

Reading Time: 2 minutes

New Zealand has completed its online casino licensing auction, with 11 entities securing the right to apply for 15 licences at a final auction price of NZ$15 million each. The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) confirmed the results on 13 October 2026, following a competitive process involving 32 bidders and 10 auction rounds.

The outcome marks a significant step towards the country’s regulated online casino market, although successful bidders must still pass detailed regulatory assessments before receiving licences.

New Zealand flag and Department of Internal Affairs logo highlighting 11 successful applicants for 15 online casino licences at NZ$15 million each.

Regulation & Compliance

Key Takeaways From New Zealand's Casino Licence Auction

Eleven entities secured rights to apply for 15 online casino licences.
The auction attracted 32 bidders and concluded after 10 rounds.
The final auction price reached NZ$15 million per licence.
Baytree Interactive secured three application rights, while Playvia Gaming and Rock Swift Group each obtained two.
Successful bidders must complete suitability assessments before any licences are granted.

Eleven Entities Progress to Final Licensing Stage

According to the DIA’s official licensing announcement, the auction concluded on 12 October, and the DIA announced the successful applicants the following day. Baytree Interactive secured three application rights, the maximum permitted under the framework. Playvia Gaming (NZ) and Rock Swift Group each obtained two.

The DIA allocated the remaining rights to Christchurch Online NZ, One Casino, Rush Entertainment, Skill On Net, SkyCity NZ Online NO1, SkyCity NZ Online NO2, Stake New Zealand and TAB New Zealand. The results follow the earlier launch of New Zealand’s online casino licence auction, which established the competitive process for allocating market access.

Each licence will cover one brand and remain valid for up to three years, with a potential five-year renewal.

NZ$15m Auction Price Does Not Guarantee Approval

The auction determined which companies could proceed to the final application stage, not granting immediate operating authorisation.

The DIA said:

Successful participation in the auction does not guarantee that a licence will be granted.

Applicants must now submit business plans and detailed strategies covering advertising, consumer protection, harm prevention and regulatory compliance. These requirements build on the administrative and financial framework established earlier in 2026.

The regulator will assess whether each applicant can meet its continuing obligations before making licensing decisions. The DIA will then publish approved brands on a public register.

December Deadline Approaches for Existing Operators

The latest development follows the opening of New Zealand’s licensing expression of interest process in July. Under the transition arrangements, providers that have not submitted a licence application must cease offering online casino gambling in New Zealand from 1 December 2026.

Existing providers with applications under consideration may continue operating without advertising until decisions are issued. The fully regulated market is expected to become operational in 2027.

For operators and B2B suppliers, the focus now shifts from securing application rights to demonstrating technical readiness, financial suitability, and compliance capabilities.

The next licensing decisions will determine which of the 11 successful auction participants ultimately enter New Zealand’s regulated online casino market.