New Zealand is planning to open up its casino market. However, friction is already developing as the government pushes back against TAB securing a license.
As they overhaul gambling regulations, the government plans to auction off 15 online casino licenses.
With details and dates yet to be finalized, the licensing regime is still in development at the policy level.
Regulators plan to issue the license for three years, potentially starting in February 2026. However, not everyone may secure one.
RNZ says that who say they have acquired documents, the TAB offered a $150 million agreement to the government in a bid to secure one of the spots.
TAB stands for Totalisator Agency Board. It was previously a state-owned gambling company from Australia. The publisher reports that current laws ban the statutory entity from offering online casino gaming. However, it has requested a law change in a letter to ministers.
The documents reportedly seen by the company show that TAB told Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden that it could offer up a $150 million payment to the government.
Although the agreement is profitable, officials have pushed it back. Speaking to RNZ, Brooke van Velden stated that the government would not allow TAB to seek a license. She added, “Not under my watch.”
She stated that the government should not be involved in casino gambling. Instead, she believes the focus should be on addressing essential services, not providing an online platform for casino games.
In a past interview, the minister told a publisher she expected large offshore gambling companies to secure most of the 15 licenses up for auction.
