New Zealand online casino licensing auction results announced

New Zealand has concluded a competitive auction for online casino licensing rights under the Online Casino Gambling Act. Following ten rounds of bidding involving 32 participants, 11 entities have won the right to apply for the 15 available licenses. The final price per license reached NZ$15 million.

Successful bidders include SkillOnNet, which plans to introduce its PlayOJO brand to the market, as well as companies associated with Entain, Stake, SkyCity, and Betway. Winning the right to apply does not guarantee final authorization; operators must still undergo rigorous regulatory assessments regarding consumer protection, responsible gambling, and operational transparency.

The new regulatory framework, which came into force in May 2026, establishes a deadline of December 1 for all providers to possess a local license or cease serving customers in the country. This shift may significantly impact the online poker landscape, as Stake is currently the only operator on the shortlist with an integrated peer-to-peer poker client. Major industry players like GGPoker and PokerStars do not have a direct route to the market and would require partnerships with successful applicants to continue operations.