Which companies won New Zealand’s online casino licence auction?

New Zealand has taken a big step toward a regulated online casino market. The Department of Internal Affairs named 11 entities that came out on top in the auction for the right to apply for up to 15 online casino licences. The auction wrapped up on 12 October 2026 at NZ$15 million per licence after 10 rounds and 32 bidders.

Winning the auction doesn’t mean they’ve got a licence. It only gives them the chance to put in a full application. The DIA still has to check their business plans, player protection measures, advertising approach and harm-prevention policies. Once granted, each licence covers one brand only, lasts up to three years (with a possible five-year renewal), and the first ones are expected in early 2027, with the full market opening later that year.

From 1 December 2026 any online casino that hasn’t applied will have to stop taking New Zealand players. Those still going through the assessment process can keep operating for now, though advertising is restricted. Anyone who gets knocked back will have to leave the market.

This all sits under the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026. The government has been clear that the point is better consumer protection and harm minimisation, not simply more gambling. Licensed operators will face strict rules on advertising, player safety and ongoing compliance, and the approved brands will end up on a public DIA register.

The 11 successful entities and likely brands

The DIA hasn’t confirmed the final brand names yet, and companies can still change them during the application process.

The links below come from parent companies, industry reporting and existing brand ownership:

• Baytree Interactive Limited (3 application rights)
  Linked to Super Group (owner of Betway). Expected to promote Betway and possibly other Super Group casino brands such as JackpotCity or Spin Casino. Maximum allocation under the rules.
• Playvia Gaming (NZ) Limited (2 application rights)
  Subsidiary of Entain. Likely to promote PartyCasino and a second Entain casino brand (not yet publicly confirmed).
• Rock Swift Group Limited (2 application rights)
  Previously licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. Strongly associated with Cosmo Casino and Casino Kingdom (Casino Rewards Group brands).
• SkyCity NZ Online NO1 Limited and SkyCity NZ Online NO2 Limited (1 right each, total 2)
  Subsidiaries of SkyCity Entertainment Group. Expected to promote SkyCity online casino brands (one confirmed as SkyCity; the second brand name not yet public). SkyCity has publicly confirmed it will proceed with applications ahead of the 2027 market opening.
• Stake New Zealand Limited (1 application right)
  Expected to promote the Stake brand.
• TAB New Zealand (1 application right)
  Operated by Entain under a long-term partnership. Expected to promote a TAB-branded online casino offering. Combined with Playvia’s two rights, this gives Entain-linked entities three potential positions.
• Skill On Net Limited (1 application right)
  Operator of the well-known PlayOJO brand (and other SkillOnNet casinos). Strong association with PlayOJO for the New Zealand market.
• One Casino Limited (1 application right)
  Linked to LCKY (formerly Glitnor Group). Expected to promote the OneCasino brand.
• Christchurch Online NZ Limited (1 application right)
  Malta-registered entity. Not related to the land-based Christchurch Casino. Consumer-facing brand not yet public.
• Rush Entertainment Limited (1 application right)
  Brand details not confirmed in public reporting at this stage. Industry coverage notes limited public information on the exact consumer brand planned.

PlayOJO and Skill On Net’s Bid

Skill On Net is one of the 11 companies that secured an application right, and their best-known brand is PlayOJO. The operator has built a strong reputation for no-wagering bonuses and a large game selection, which is why many Kiwi players already know the name. You can read our full PlayOJO review here if you want to see how the site currently stacks up.

What this means for New Zealand players

• Only licensed operators will be able to offer online casino games (slots, table games, live dealer, etc.) to New Zealand residents once the market fully launches.
• Players will gain clearer protections: verified operators, public register of approved brands, mandatory harm-minimisation tools, and restrictions on advertising.
• Existing grey-market operators that did not win an application right (or whose applications are later rejected) must exit by the December 2026 deadline or face enforcement.
• The high NZ$15 million entry cost and rigorous assessment process are designed to favour well-resourced, compliant operators. If all 15 licences are granted, the Crown stands to collect NZ$225 million in fees (before GST).

Timeline snapshot

Looking ahead

New Zealand’s shift creates one of the tighter online casino markets in the region. Local players can expect a smaller group of fully regulated brands instead of the current free-for-all grey market. Harm minimisation, advertising limits and tax contributions sit at the centre of the new rules.

The next few months matter most. The DIA still has to assess every application, and only the brands that make it onto the public register will be allowed to operate. Until then the list of potential operators is clear, but the final brand names and exact launch dates aren’t locked in.

For the latest official updates, check the Department of Internal Affairs Online Gambling for Providers page. Anyone who needs help with gambling can contact the national helpline services.

This new framework marks the end of the largely unregulated online casino period in New Zealand and the start of a licensed, more transparent market expected to open fully in 2027.

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