Entain Eyes Three NZ Casino Licences as It Builds on TAB Sports Monopoly

Entain confirmed it is targeting three online casino licences in New Zealand, the maximum allowed under the country’s new framework, based on disclosures made alongside its FY2025 results. The move would pair casino operations with the sports betting monopoly Entain already controls through its 25-year partnership with TAB NZ, which began in June 2023.

New Zealand introduced the Online Casino Gambling Bill on June 30, 2025. The legislation creates up to 15 licences awarded through a three-stage process: an expression of interest expected in March or April 2026, a competitive auction where price determines progression, and a final application assessed by the Secretary for Internal Affairs. Each licence ties to a specific brand, lasts three years with a five-year renewal option, and can’t be transferred.

Changes to the Racing Industry Act in June 2025 blocked offshore operators from offering betting services to New Zealanders, giving TAB NZ exclusive sports betting rights. If Entain secures three casino licences on top of that, it would hold both verticals in a market that no other operator can currently enter for sports.

The company also disclosed a £50 million UK tax mitigation strategy during the same results presentation. Analysts noted Entain is “materially outperforming its largest competitor” in the UK market, with CEO Stella David and CFO Rob Wood overseeing the financial planning behind both initiatives.

For operators eyeing New Zealand’s opening, the auction-based system means deep pockets matter as much as compliance credentials. Suppliers building for the NZ market should note the 90-day launch requirement, which creates tight integration timelines. Affiliates already driving NZ traffic face a hard cutoff as unlicensed operators must exit by July 1, and only licensed brands can advertise.

TGJ Take

Entain isn’t just entering New Zealand’s casino market. It’s positioning to own both sides of it. Three casino licences plus the TAB NZ sports monopoly would give the company a structural advantage that no competitor can replicate through licensing alone. The auction format does mean Entain will pay a premium, but with FY25 group EBITDA at £1.24 billion, it can afford to. The real question for other bidders is whether competing against an operator that already holds the sports book is worth the licence fee.