New Zealand’s casino industry is in a strange spot right now. SkyCity, one of the country’s biggest gambling companies, is having a rough year. People just aren’t spending as much money in their casinos, and that’s putting a serious dent in their profits. Fewer folks walking through the doors means less revenue, and the company has been pretty open about how hard it’s hit them. The cost of living is up, and entertainment spending is down, so it’s no surprise that traditional venues are starting to feel the pinch across the board.
A big part of the problem is that more people are turning to their phones and laptops to gamble. It’s just easier. You don’t have to drive to a casino or book a night out. You can stay home, sit on the couch, and pick from the various casino options in New Zealand that are just a few clicks away. These platforms offer players better options than traditional venues. According to iGaming writer Andjelija Blagojevic, these online casinos provide flexible payment options, different variations of popular games like blackjack, as well as live dealer options.
The government has noticed, and now they’re working on plans to open up the online casino market properly. The idea is to offer up to 15 licenses starting in 2026, each lasting three years. These would be handed out to operators who meet all the rules and play fair. It’s supposed to make things safer for players, bring in tax money, and keep things under control. Sounds good on paper, but not everyone’s on board.
SkyCity is one of the loudest voices against this. They want the number of licenses capped at five, and they’re pushing for all of them to go to New Zealand-based companies. Their logic? Keep the money in the country and avoid opening the floodgates to international competition. It’s a bold move, especially when you consider how much ground they’ve already lost to online platforms.
People are still going to gamble, it’s not going anywhere. But with so many websites offering flashy deals and bonuses, it’s easy to see why the local casinos are sweating. A quick look at New Zealand’s gambling statistics shows that online gaming is growing fast while physical venues are slowing down. It’s a clear sign that times are changing, and companies will need to evolve or risk being left behind.
What’s tricky here is balance. On one side, you’ve got big names like SkyCity trying to hold onto their turf. On the other hand, there’s a growing crowd of online gamblers who just want more choice and better options. The government’s job is to keep things fair for both sides, and that’s easier said than done.
In the end, it comes down to what works best for New Zealand. If done right, the new system could bring in more money, give players more protection, and keep things running smoothly. But if the rules lean too hard in one direction, someone’s bound to lose out.