What the NZ casino licence auction decided
The auction ran from 29 September to 12 October 2026 and drew 32 bidders. It closed after 10 rounds, and the final price reached NZ$15 million for each licence, according to the DIA licensing page. The same page lists an auction-outcome newsletter dated 13 October 2026.
Eleven entities came through. Three of them hold more than one right to apply: Baytree Interactive Limited for three licences, and Playvia Gaming (NZ) Limited and Rock Swift Group Limited for two each. The others are Christchurch Online NZ Limited, One Casino Limited, Rush Entertainment Limited, Skill On Net Limited, SkyCity NZ Online NO1 Limited, SkyCity NZ Online NO2 Limited, Stake New Zealand Limited and TAB New Zealand.
What a win does not mean
A place in the auction is the right to apply, not a licence. DIA says winning does not guarantee a licence and that every winner goes through a detailed application and assessment before any decision. The Secretary for Internal Affairs may only grant a licence when the applicant shows it is suitable to hold one.
DIA has also said that the brands which may end up operating under a licence are being held back for now. Approved brands will appear on a public register owned by DIA once a licence is granted.
Dates that follow
| Date | Step |
|---|---|
| 20 October 2026 | Successful bidders invited to submit full licence applications |
| 1 December 2026 | Providers that have not applied for a licence must stop online casino gambling in New Zealand; applicants may continue without advertising until DIA decides |
| Early 2027 | Licences expected to be issued; licensed market fully operational during 2027 |
Each licence lasts up to three years and can be renewed for a further five. No entity can be granted more than three licences in this process.