[REVISION HISTORY]

NZ online casino licensing auction results and next steps

Updated 78 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-14 10:29 UTC → 2026-10-21 20:33 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Following the conclusion of an ascending clock auction held from September 29 to October 12, 2026, the Department of Internal Affairs has identified eleven entities eligible to apply for 15 new online casino gambling licences. The auction closed at NZ$15 million per licence. On October 13, 2026, the Department announced that the auction involved 32 bidders across 10 rounds. Among the successful entities, Baytree Interactive Limited (associated with Betway and Super Group) secured three application rights, the maximum permitted for a single operator. Playvia Gaming (NZ) Limited (linked to Entain) and Rock Swift Group Limited each obtained two rights, while SkyCity Entertainment Group also secured two rights through separate entities. Other successful bidders include Stake New Zealand, TAB New Zealand, Christchurch Online NZ, One Casino, Rush Entertainment, and Skill On Net. Securing an application right does not guarantee final regulatory approval. These entities will now proceed to submit detailed applications as New Zealand prepares for a regulated iGaming market launch, expected in 2027. A critical deadline has been set for December 1, 2026, after which operators without a license application will no longer be permitted to offer online gambling services in the country. As the transition toward the Casino Gambling Act 2026 approaches, regulatory uncertainty remains regarding digital assets. Current regulations do not explicitly address the use of cryptocurrencies or stablecoins, leaving operators to navigate how wallets and exchanges will fit into the framework. While rules prohibit deposit methods involving credit contracts, they provide no specific approval or prohibition regarding digital-asset payment routes.

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