Three major gambling operators: bet365, Super Group, and SkyCity are facing lawsuits in New Zealand over claims they have been offering illegal gambling services in the country.
The three lawsuits have been brought as a group action. The judge in the case, Ian Gault, said the three proceedings “involve at least one of the same plaintiffs and raise the same or similar issues.”
However, the cases are not being joined at this time. Gault also issued a suppression order to prevent the publication of the plaintiffs’ names.
New Zealand introduced new legislation to regulate gambling last year. The new rules effectively prohibit companies holding offshore licenses from operating in the country.
SkyCity Denies Responsibility
SkyCity confirmed it had received notification of the lawsuit last month. The company said the lawsuit is “seeking to test the lawfulness of the online gaming operations operated by Silvereye on behalf of an overseas subsidiary of SkyCity”.
Silvereye, a subsidiary of Gaming Innovation Group (GiG), is licensed in Malta. SkyCity denied it is responsible for the actions of GiG. A company spokesperson said, “SkyCity denies any such liability and will actively defend the proceedings.”
The company sold its equity investment in GiG in June 2024 but said it continued to have a “valuable relationship” through its involvement with SkyCity Online, according to the New Zealand Herald.
The lawsuit seeks to recover gambling losses at SkyCity Online between February 2020 and February 2026. SkyCity operates land-based casinos in New Zealand, but the country has not yet officially approved online casinos.
New Zealand Set To Legalize Online Casinos
New Zealand could launch legal iGaming later this year, with the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) expected to issue 15 licenses. The plans have received mixed reactions, with opponents warning that it will increase problem gambling.
Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden said the new legislation aimed to control, rather than expand, the gambling market. She stated, “My goal is not to increase online gambling but to enable New Zealanders to play casino games more safely.”
bet365 Objects to Proceedings
Judge Gault also said that bet365 and related defendants, “object to the jurisdiction of the New Zealand courts to hear and determine this proceeding.”
The company’s subsidiaries, Hillside (Gaming) Enc and Hillside (Sports), as well as CEO Denise Coates, have been named in the lawsuit. Hillside is based in Malta, but holds licenses in the UK and Gibraltar.
Super Group is the parent company of betting brands Betway and Spin. Related companies listed as defendants are Bayton, DigiMedia, Digamma, GM Gaming, Baytree (Alderney), and Baytree Interactive.
CasinoBeats contacted Davey Salmon, KC, who is representing the plaintiffs in the cases, as well as David Cooper, KC, the lawyer for the gambling companies, but neither has yet responded.
