Betway wins most New Zealand online licence slots
32 bidders fought over the licences in a 10-round auction before 11 brands came through.
The hit
Betway has come out on top in New Zealand’s new online gambling licence process, winning rights to three applications, more than any other operator. Entain, SkyCity & Stake are among 11 brands cleared to apply for 15 licences on offer, according to SBC News.
Why it matters
Clearance to apply is not a licence. Each operator must still submit business plans, marketing strategies & consumer protection details to New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs, which will carry out a full business assessment before making a licence decision, according to SBC News.
The record
| Licences available | 15 (SBC News) |
|---|---|
| Bidders in the auction | 32, over 10 rounds (SBC News) |
| Price per licence | NZ$15m / £6.4m (SBC News) |
| Betway rights won | 3 applications, the most of any operator (SBC News) |
| Entain rights won | 2 applications (SBC News) |
| Regime start date | New online licences expected to come into force on 1 July 2027 (SBC News) |
What happens next
The transition period ends on 1 December 2026, when any brand without a licence application must stop offering online gambling to New Zealand customers.
Sources: Entain, Stake among brands on course for New Zealand licence
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