Online gambling industry in Australia and New Zealand

The online gambling market in Australia and New Zealand involves various platforms and regulatory frameworks. In Australia, players access online pokies that utilize random number generators and diverse payment methods like PayID.

In New Zealand, the regulatory landscape has undergone a significant shift following the implementation of the Online Casino Gambling Act in May 2026. A competitive auction for licensing rights recently concluded, involving ten rounds of bidding and 32 participants. Ultimately, 11 entities won the right to apply for 15 available licenses, with the final price per license reaching NZ$15 million. Successful bidders include SkillOnNet, which intends to introduce its PlayOJO brand, alongside companies associated with Entain, Stake, SkyCity, and Betway.

Winning the right to apply does not guarantee final authorization, as operators must still pass rigorous regulatory assessments concerning operational transparency, responsible gambling, and consumer protection. A deadline of December 1 has been set for all providers to hold a local license or cease serving New Zealand customers. This transition may alter the online poker landscape; Stake is currently the only shortlisted operator with an integrated peer-to-peer poker client, while major players such as PokerStars and GGPoker lack a direct route to the market and would require partnerships with successful applicants to continue operations.

Previously, offshore providers like Boo Casino, operated by Dama N. V. under a Curaçao license, provided different levels of player protection compared to UK or Malta-based regulations. Other operators, such as Wildz, utilize structured withdrawal schedules for large winnings exceeding NZ$50,000 to manage payouts.