Entain and Stake win rights to apply for New Zealand licences

Confirmed 13 October 2026 - New Zealand's Department of Internal Affairs closes its ascending-clock auction for online casino licences, with 32 bidders competing over 10 rounds for 15 rights to apply at a final price of NZ$15m (US$8.4m) each. Eleven participants secured rights, among them Entain through Playvia Gaming (NZ) for two and the TAB New Zealand joint venture for one, and Easygo's Stake New Zealand for one; each winner must now clear a full application and regulatory assessment before a licence is granted, and operators that have not applied by December must exit the market on 1 December.

Year

2026

Type

Launched

Value

NZ$15m per licence