New Zealand's SkyCity Entertainment Group has officially rejected a class-action lawsuit funded by the US, which involves its Malta-licensed SkyCity online casino serving players in New Zealand and other regions. The plaintiffs seek to recover betting losses from February 2020 to February 2026, attempting to test the legality of the platform's online gambling activities. In plain terms, players want to reclaim the money lost over six years through a class-action lawsuit.
Focus of the lawsuit: Legal effectiveness of the Malta license
This legal action started this week, with defendants including SkyCity Entertainment Group, SkyCity Auckland Holdings, and Silvereye Entertainment. SkyCity clarified that its online casino business is operated by its overseas subsidiary Silvereye Entertainment, which has been functioning under the Malta Gaming Authority license framework since 2021, with the platform provided and managed by third parties like Gaming Innovation Group. The company emphasized that the Malta regulatory system governs operations, and using third-party technology providers is standard industry practice. If the plaintiffs' class-action authorization application is successful, it will open the door for claims over six years of gameplay, raising critical jurisdiction and licensing issues.
Company stance: Denies responsibility, actively defends
SkyCity unequivocally denies any responsibility arising from the allegations and confirms it will actively defend itself. The company stresses that the legal process is a test of the legality of its online gambling business, not an admission of misconduct. This is not the first time SkyCity has faced regulatory scrutiny; earlier this year, after an independent suitability review, its Adelaide casino was allowed to retain its license.
Regulatory background: New Zealand advances iGaming legalization
New Zealand has not yet authorized iGaming, but the process of establishing a domestic framework is underway. A government report last week stated that the licensing process will start in July, with a three-stage system eventually issuing up to 15 operator licenses. This move aims to bring the market, long served by offshore operators, under domestic regulation, with New Zealand players estimated to spend over NZD 750 million annually at overseas online casinos. Global operator Entain stated last week that it might seek three of these licenses as part of its long-term growth strategy in the region. Interested in the latest global gambling regulatory updates? PASA's official website continues to track.
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