Stake and Dabble join race for NZ online casino licences
Australian-founded gambling brands Stake and Dabble are among the operators positioning themselves for entry into New Zealand’s soon-to-be regulated online casino market, with competition building for a limited number of licences.
Stake, Dabble, SkyCity Entertainment and Entain are confirmed to have lodged expressions of interest in the new regime, which will make a maximum of 15 online casino licences available.
Entain’s involvement is less surprising given its already significant position in New Zealand. The gambling giant operates the TAB NZ betting and broadcasting business under a 25-year strategic partnership and, following legislative changes that took effect in June 2025, effectively has the exclusive legal route for online sports and racing betting in the country.
The arrival of Stake and Dabble in the licensing race provides a clearer indication of the international competition likely to emerge as New Zealand prepares to regulate online casino gambling for the first time.
The Department of Internal Affairs closed expressions of interest on August 14 but has declined to identify participants due to probity requirements surrounding the auction process.
Up to 15 licences will eventually be available, with individual operators permitted to secure a maximum of three.
Successful auction participants will earn the right to formally apply for a licence rather than automatically receiving one. Applicants will subsequently face suitability, financial, compliance and harm-minimisation requirements before being approved.
The size of the potential market is likely to attract significant international interest. The Department of Internal Affairs has estimated New Zealand’s online casino market could eventually generate approximately NZ$1.36 billion in annual gross gambling revenue.
Stake’s participation would represent another step in the crypto-born casino and sportsbook operator’s expansion into regulated markets. The company has increasingly pursued local licences internationally rather than relying solely on its traditional offshore model.
Dabble is best known for its Australian social bookmaker and betting operations, but has also been expanding beyond its home market and into casino gaming.
SkyCity, meanwhile, already has considerable exposure to New Zealand casino gambling through its land-based properties and its SkyCity Online Casino operation, which has historically served New Zealand customers from offshore.
There has also been speculation around Australian social casino giant VGW. The Australian reported that VGW or interests associated with founder Laurence Escalante had examined the New Zealand opportunity, although a company spokesperson said VGW does not intend to enter the market.
The licensing process represents one of the most significant openings of a regulated online casino market in the Asia-Pacific region in recent years.
Operators participating in the process must demonstrate access to at least NZ$7.5 million in capital, while the competitive auction process is expected to begin in September.
From December 1, 2026, only successful auction participants will be permitted to continue providing online gambling to New Zealand customers during the transition to the fully licensed market.
The first full online casino licences are expected to be issued in early 2027, ending the current system under which New Zealanders can legally gamble with offshore online casinos despite those operators not holding a domestic licence.
