New Zealand sees nearly 50 operators compete for online casino licences

New Zealand’s first online casino licensing round has attracted interest from around 50 operators, creating a highly competitive field for a maximum of 15 casino licence opportunities as the country moves towards a regulated online casino market.

The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) opened the expression of interest (EOI) stage on 17 July 2026 and closed submissions on 14 August. The EOI process represents the first of three stages established under the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026. The regulator says the EOI submissions are now being assessed ahead of the competitive stage expected in September.

The reported level of interest means that more than three operators could be competing for every available position. However, the precise identities and number of EOI participants have not been publicly disclosed by the DIA, so individual claims about participation should be treated as reported industry information unless confirmed by the relevant operator.

A crowded field for a limited number of licences

The structure of New Zealand’s new regime creates a clear constraint from the outset. The government intends to make up to 15 online casino gambling licences available in the first licensing process.

Each licence will apply to a single brand and an operator will be restricted to a maximum of three licences. The initial licence period can run for up to three years with the possibility of a further five-year renewal.

Among the operators linked by industry reporting to the process are Stake, Entain and Dabble. Earlier reports have also identified Bet365, evoke, SkyCity, Spin City, SpinBet and Super Group as businesses that have shown interest in the emerging market.

The reported list is not the same as an official applicant register. The DIA has not published the complete names of businesses that submitted EOIs, meaning that the market should distinguish between confirmed corporate statements and media or industry reports about participation.

One operator has provided particularly clear public confirmation. DigiPlus Interactive Corp. disclosed through the Philippine Stock Exchange that its board approved the filing of an EOI to apply for a gaming licence in New Zealand on 4 August 2026.

SkyCity has also publicly discussed its participation in the licensing process. The New Zealand-based group has said it is pursuing the opportunity as the country establishes a regulated online casino framework. Its recent corporate reporting confirms that the licensing process is underway and that the company expects to participate in the regulated market.

EOI submissions are not casino licences

A key distinction in the process is that an EOI does not itself provide an operator with permission to conduct online casino gambling under the new regime.

The first stage is designed to establish which potential operators meet the initial requirements to take part in the competitive process. The Online Casino Gambling Act requires information covering ownership structures, key officers, the proposed gambling platform, branding, relevant compliance history and the source and amount of available capital.

The initial capital threshold is NZ$7.5 million. Applicants must demonstrate access to the required capital as part of the EOI assessment. The regulations separately establish an EOI fee of NZ$19,000, excluding GST.

The legal framework also gives the DIA powers to reject an EOI where statutory requirements are not satisfied. These include financial requirements, specified criminal history considerations and the provision of the required information.

This means that being associated with the licensing race does not necessarily indicate that an operator has progressed to the auction stage. Only applicants whose EOIs are accepted by the DIA will be invited to compete for the right to submit a full casino licence application.

September auction will determine who advances

The second stage is expected to take place in September 2026 and will use a competitive process to determine which approved participants can move forward.

The legislation allows the Secretary for Internal Affairs to determine the form of the competitive process. For the initial round, Cabinet has decided that the process will take the form of an auction. Up to 15 successful participants will receive the right to apply for an online casino gambling licence.

Winning the auction will therefore not immediately turn a company into a licensed online casino operator. Successful bidders must proceed to the third stage, submit their full applications and satisfy the applicable licensing criteria before a licence is granted.

That distinction is important for operators and consumers alike. The September process determines access to the licence application stage rather than providing an unconditional licence to operate.

The DIA currently expects full licence applications to open in October 2026. The regulator has also indicated that the first licences are expected to be issued from early 2027.

December brings a major regulatory deadline

The licensing process is closely connected with a significant change taking effect on 1 December 2026.

Under the transition arrangements, only operators that have progressed into the formal licensing process will be permitted to continue providing online casino gambling in New Zealand after that date while their applications are under consideration. Other online casino providers will be required to cease operating in the country.

Advertising is also subject to separate restrictions during the transition. The DIA states that providers must not advertise to people in New Zealand during the current transitional period. Once the licensed regime is established, licensed operators will be permitted to advertise subject to the detailed requirements of the Act and regulations.

The new framework is therefore not simply an exercise in distributing licences. It also establishes a wider compliance structure covering consumer protection, age verification, harm minimisation, complaints procedures, record keeping and advertising.

Compliance will become central to market entry

The Online Casino Gambling Act requires licensed operators to ensure customers are at least 18 years old and to take measures designed to minimise gambling harm. It also introduces requirements around customer identification, complaints processes and the display of registration markers that will help consumers identify regulated operators.

The supporting regulations and minimum standards add further operational obligations. These include time, deposit and spending limits, breaks in play, self-exclusion arrangements, customer verification, restrictions on credit and detailed reporting and audit requirements.

Advertising will also face specific controls. The DIA has highlighted restrictions applying to the promotion of online casino gambling, while unlawful advertising can attract significant enforcement action. The regulator has stated that pecuniary penalties of up to NZ$5 million may apply in certain cases involving unlawful advertising.

For operators entering the market, the value of a casino licence will therefore depend not only on winning an auction but also on maintaining the financial, operational and compliance standards required throughout the licensing period.

DigiPlus adds to international interest

DigiPlus Interactive Corp. is one of the more recent companies to make its New Zealand plans public.

The Philippines-based digital entertainment company disclosed in August that its board had approved the filing of an EOI to apply for a New Zealand gaming licence. DigiPlus operates digital entertainment platforms in the Philippines and has described international expansion as part of its broader growth strategy.

The disclosure is relevant because it provides a direct corporate record of participation rather than relying solely on industry reporting.

Other names linked to the process include Entain, Stake and Dabble, alongside operators previously reported as interested in the market. Entain has already identified New Zealand as a market affected by the developing online casino framework while SkyCity has stated publicly that it expects online casino regulation to create an opportunity for its business.

Nevertheless, the absence of a public DIA applicant list means there is no basis to describe every reported participant as a confirmed successful EOI applicant. The September auction will provide a clearer indication of which companies have passed the first regulatory assessment.

What the new market could look like

The introduction of a formal casino licence system represents a significant change for New Zealand’s online gambling sector.

Rather than leaving online casino activity outside a dedicated licensing framework, the new system creates a controlled market in which a limited number of operators can seek approval under common regulatory requirements. The cap of 15 licences also ensures that entry will remain selective rather than open-ended.

For established international operators, the market may offer an opportunity to secure an early position in a newly regulated jurisdiction. For New Zealand regulators, the challenge will be to ensure that commercial competition does not weaken consumer protection or harm minimisation standards.

The September auction is consequently more than a commercial contest. It is the gateway to the first generation of licensed online casino operators in New Zealand.

Conclusion

New Zealand’s emerging online casino market is entering a decisive phase, with around 50 operators reportedly interested in a licensing process that can accommodate no more than 15 licences. The disparity between the number of interested businesses and the limited number of available licences is likely to make the September auction closely watched across the international gambling sector.

Yet the commercial competition should not obscure the legal structure behind the process. An EOI is only the first step, an auction win provides the right to apply rather than an automatic licence and final approval remains subject to regulatory assessment.

With the December 2026 transition deadline approaching and the first licences expected from early 2027, operators now face a narrow timetable to establish their eligibility, secure a place in the competitive process and demonstrate that they can meet New Zealand’s regulatory expectations.

For the market itself, the outcome will establish which brands gain an early foothold and which operators remain outside the regulated framework. More importantly, it will mark the practical beginning of a new licensing model in which market access is tied directly to regulatory suitability, consumer protection and ongoing compliance.

FAQs

How many online casino licences will New Zealand make available?
New Zealand plans to make up to 15 online casino gambling licences available through the initial licensing process.

When did New Zealand open its casino licence EOI process?
The Department of Internal Affairs opened the expression of interest stage on 17 July 2026.

When did the EOI stage close?
The EOI stage closed on 14 August 2026 according to the Department of Internal Affairs licensing timetable.

Does submitting an EOI mean an operator has received a casino licence?
No. An EOI is the first stage of the process and does not provide an online casino licence. Accepted EOI participants must progress through the competitive stage and then submit a full licence application.

When is the New Zealand casino licence auction expected?
The competitive auction stage is expected to take place in September 2026.

How many licences can one operator hold?
An operator may not be granted more than three licences under the initial licensing process.

How long will a New Zealand online casino licence last?
A licence can initially run for up to three years with the possibility of renewal for a further five years.

When are full online casino licence applications expected to open?
The Department of Internal Affairs expects the full licence application stage to open in October 2026.

When are the first New Zealand online casino licences expected?
The DIA expects the first licences to be issued from early 2027.

What happens to operators that do not apply for a licence?
Operators that have not applied for a licence will be required to cease providing online casino gambling in New Zealand from 1 December 2026. Operators with applications under consideration may continue operating under the applicable transition arrangements.