16 OctDeals & M&A
SkyCity agrees conditional NZ$221m sale of Auckland's Grand Hotel
The conditional hotel sale would provide debt-reduction proceeds while SkyCity temporarily continues operating the property.
New Zealand
Regulation, licensing and business reporting in New Zealand.
Market dossier
Licensing, commercial relationships and regulatory developments.
Licensing status
Licence holders named by regulators (in our records)
Compliance developments
- DIA suspends One Foundation gambling licence for six days in New Zealand
- DIA secures NZ$11.5m repayment commitments from New Zealand gambling societies
- New Zealand regulator recovers NZ$11.5m in gaming machine compliance investigation
- New Zealand gambling regulator suspends charitable gaming trust’s licence
Upcoming dates
- 1 Dec 2026 Unsuccessful licence applicants must cease operations · entry
- 1 Dec 2026 New Zealand online casino market opens · entry
- 1 Jan 2027 Community funding contribution takes effect · entry
- 1 Jan 2027 Community funding contribution takes effect · entry
- 30 Jun 2027 Hotel operating transition target ends · entry
Relationships
Reported licences, deals, appointments and other connections. Follow the entry links for context.
Operators active
- One Foundation 2026-09-14 · entry
- One Foundation 2026-09-14 · entry
- Entain 2026-09-30 · entry
- GLI 2026-10-09 · entry
- Entain 2026-10-13 · entry
- Unnamed charitable gaming trust 2026-09-13 · entry
- Random State 2026-10-14 · entry
- SkyCity 2026-08-21 · entry
Coverage context
Co-mentions in the same reports. These do not establish a business relationship. Countries identify the subject of reporting, not where a company operates.
Timeline
Newest first, grouped by month.
October 2026
15 OctRegulation
New Zealand proposes online casino contributions of up to NZD20m annually
Online casino operators would contribute 4% of adjusted gross gaming revenue to community funding under New Zealand’s proposal.
14 OctLicences & markets
Random State enters New Zealand through Lotto NZ rollout
Random State’s first Lotto NZ eInstant launch establishes distribution through Scientific Games’ SG Content Hub, with additional content planned.
14 OctLicences & markets
New Zealand selects 11 operators to apply for online casino licences
Eleven selected operators can apply for New Zealand’s 15 available online casino licences following the auction.
13 OctLicences & markets
New Zealand advances 11 operators in online casino licensing process
Betway, Stake, Entain and SkyCity can apply for online casino licences after advancing through New Zealand’s first competitive stage.
13 OctLicences & markets
New Zealand allocates 15 online casino application rights after auction
Operators holding application rights must still complete regulatory assessment before they can receive a licence to operate in New Zealand.
13 OctLicences & markets
New Zealand clears 11 brands for next online gambling licensing stage
Eleven brands can apply for 15 New Zealand online gambling licences, with Betway holding the most application rights.
13 OctLicences & markets
DIA names 11 entities eligible to apply for New Zealand online casino licences
SkyCity, Entain and Stake can advance to online casino licence applications in New Zealand.
9 OctLicences & markets
GLI gains independent testing approval for New Zealand online casino market
The approval gives operators and suppliers entering New Zealand access to GLI’s independent testing services.
7 OctRegulation
New Zealand to review online casino community funding after two years
The policy would direct part of offshore online casino duty to community grants.
September 2026
30 SepLicences & markets
Entain soft launches BlackRush online casino in New Zealand
Entain’s BlackRush launch enters a newly regulated market its chief executive estimates could generate up to £600m annually.
14 SepEnforcement & compliance
DIA suspends One Foundation gambling licence for six days in New Zealand
One Foundation’s six-day licence suspension demonstrates the licensing consequences of accounting failures involving gambling proceeds.
14 SepRegulation
Entain warns online gaming advertising competition risks regulatory backlash in New Zealand
Entain warned that an advertising battle in New Zealand’s regulated online gaming market could provoke a regulatory response.
14 SepEnforcement & compliance
DIA secures NZ$11.5m repayment commitments from New Zealand gambling societies
Gambling societies face continuing investigations and new financial guidance following commitments to return community funds and a licence suspension.
14 SepEnforcement & compliance
New Zealand regulator recovers NZ$11.5m in gaming machine compliance investigation
For gaming machine operators, the regulator’s NZ$11.5m recovery demonstrates financial consequences accompanying widespread compliance failures.
13 SepEnforcement & compliance
New Zealand gambling regulator suspends charitable gaming trust’s licence
Accounting failures led to a licence suspension following New Zealand’s poker machine sector review, demonstrating licensing consequences for charitable operators.
August 2026
21 AugDeals & M&A
SkyCity reports 22.3% EBITDA decline to NZ$181.6m for FY26
Falling gaming revenue and rising expenses accompanied lower EBITDA as SkyCity targets savings and plans an Adelaide strategic review.
18 AugDeals & M&A
DigiPlus appoints Teneo to advise on overseas gaming expansion
Teneo will advise DigiPlus on overseas opportunities and risks as it considers New Zealand entry.
4 AugRegulation
New Zealand guidance restricts gambling advertising themes and endorsements
Advertisers must avoid the prohibited themes and endorsement practices.
2 AugRegulation
New Zealand restricts online casino advertising content
Licensed online casinos face limits on endorsements and advertising content that appeals to minors.
July 2026
31 JulRegulation
New Zealand restricts luck claims in gambling advertising
Online gambling advertisers face restrictions on endorsements, superstition claims and material appealing to minors.
22 JulDeals & M&A
SkyCity signs non-binding agreement to sell Auckland Grand Hotel
The proposed sale would advance SkyCity’s asset disposal programme if completed.
21 JulLicences & markets
New Zealand opens online casino licensing process
The process creates a route for operators to obtain market access.
19 JulLicences & markets
New Zealand opens online gaming licence expressions of interest
Prospective applicants can begin participating in New Zealand’s online gaming licensing process.
17 JulLicences & markets
New Zealand begins online casino licensing process
The licensing process advances preparations for New Zealand’s regulated online casino market.
17 JulLicences & markets
New Zealand opens online casino licensing process
The opening starts the application process for New Zealand’s regulated online casino market.
17 JulLicences & markets
New Zealand opens expressions of interest for igaming licences
The opening starts the process for applicants seeking entry to New Zealand’s licensed igaming market.
June 2026
8 JunRegulation
New Zealand introduces online gambling rules before July licensing
Operators face new regulations as New Zealand begins its competitive licensing process.
This week’s brief
New Zealand advances 11 operators towards online casino licence applications
Recent developments
Licences
- Random State enters New Zealand through Lotto NZ rollout
Random State’s first Lotto NZ eInstant launch establishes distribution through Scientific Games’ SG Content Hub, with additional content planned.
- New Zealand selects 11 operators to apply for online casino licences
Eleven selected operators can apply for New Zealand’s 15 available online casino licences following the auction.
- New Zealand advances 11 operators in online casino licensing process
Betway, Stake, Entain and SkyCity can apply for online casino licences after advancing through New Zealand’s first competitive stage.
Enforcement & compliance
- DIA suspends One Foundation gambling licence for six days in New Zealand
One Foundation’s six-day licence suspension demonstrates the licensing consequences of accounting failures involving gambling proceeds.
- DIA secures NZ$11.5m repayment commitments from New Zealand gambling societies
Gambling societies face continuing investigations and new financial guidance following commitments to return community funds and a licence suspension.
- New Zealand regulator recovers NZ$11.5m in gaming machine compliance investigation
For gaming machine operators, the regulator’s NZ$11.5m recovery demonstrates financial consequences accompanying widespread compliance failures.
Deals
- SkyCity agrees conditional NZ$221m sale of Auckland's Grand Hotel
The conditional hotel sale would provide debt-reduction proceeds while SkyCity temporarily continues operating the property.
- SkyCity reports 22.3% EBITDA decline to NZ$181.6m for FY26
Falling gaming revenue and rising expenses accompanied lower EBITDA as SkyCity targets savings and plans an Adelaide strategic review.
- DigiPlus appoints Teneo to advise on overseas gaming expansion
Teneo will advise DigiPlus on overseas opportunities and risks as it considers New Zealand entry.
Regulatory calendar
Deadlines, consultations, tenders and rule changes stated in our sources. Global calendar
Relationship explorer
Select a connection to read its reporting, then follow the next entity.