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New Zealand has not opened its online casino market yet, but Entain is already setting a large target. According to Gambling News, the group wants three licences and is aiming for as much as 50% of the future market.
Good to Know
- New Zealand plans to offer up to 15 online casino licences, with no operator allowed more than three.
- The licensing process is expected to begin in July 2026, with expressions of interest first.
- According to Gambling News, Entain plans to bid for three licences and wants up to 50% of the market.
Entain Makes An Early New Zealand Grab
The headline number is not the licence count. It is the share Entain thinks it can take. According to Gambling News, the company is targeting up to half of the future New Zealand iGaming market as the country builds a licensing system for online casino operators.
That ambition fits the rules now taking shape. The Department of Internal Affairs says up to 15 licences will be available, each tied to a single brand, and no company will be able to hold more than three. The process is expected to start in July 2026, then move to an auction in September and full licence applications in October.
Entain is not walking in cold. The group already runs TAB in New Zealand, the exclusive retail and online provider for sports and racing betting. That gives Entain an existing customer base and a cleaner cross-sell route if it adds casino products once the market opens. Gambling News said that sports, racing, and casino under one roof is central to the plan.
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The regulator is pitching the new regime around consumer safety, operator standards, and channeling players away from offshore sites. The Department of Internal Affairs says licensed operators will need to meet rules tied to system integrity, player protection, and responsible gambling.
Entain is making the pitch from a position of growth. In its 2025 results call, the group said total revenue reached about $6.6 billion, while online net gaming revenue was expected to grow 5% to 7% on a constant currency basis. Gambling News also said the New Zealand business posted 28% year-on-year growth.
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