The TAB attempted to secure an online casino licence by offering the New Zealand government a $150 million deal, but Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden rejected the proposal, stating she would not allow government involvement in casino gambling.
As the government auctions 15 online casino licences concerns have arisen that foreign multinational operators may dominate the market.
The TAB, currently restricted to sports and racing betting, warned that its viability was at risk without access to online casinos.
Despite being denied, the TAB continues to push for legislative changes.
Meanwhile, the government is moving ahead with extending the TAB’s monopoly on sports and racing betting to the online space, a move benefiting its UK partner, Entain.
However, this decision has raised concerns about the implications of granting a monopoly to a partly foreign-owned operator, especially given Entain’s regulatory breaches in Australia.
