Entain, SkyCity and Stake Secure Rights to Apply for New Zealand Online Casino Licences

Auction concludes at NZ$15m per licence as 11 operators advance in New Zealand’s landmark online casino licensing process New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has completed the competitive auction for the country’s first regulated online casino market, with major international operators Entain, SkyCity Entertainment Group and Stake among 11 entities to progress to the application stage. The ascending-clock auction, which began on 29 September 2026, attracted 32 bidders and concluded after 10 rounds, with the final price reaching NZ$15 million (approximately US$8.4 million) per licence.