Entain has soft launched BlackRush Casino, a brand new offering built specifically for New Zealand’s upcoming regulated online gambling market.
The site went live ahead of 1 May, timed to coincide with New Zealand’s new online casino legislation coming into effect in the country.
BlackRush appears to operate on a separate platform from Entain’s global infrastructure, shared with another New Zealand-facing brand called FoxySpins.
FoxySpins looks to be a New Zealand adaptation of Entain’s existing FoxyBingo brand, indicating the operator is tailoring its portfolio for the local market.
Both new casino brands will sit alongside Entain’s existing New Zealand sports betting operations, which include betcha and TAB.
Entain currently holds the position of the only permitted operator in the New Zealand sports betting market through a 25-year strategic partnership with TAB NZ.
New Zealand began its auction for 15 planned online casino approvals on 29 September, with winners from that process cleared to then apply for a full licence.
Each licence will carry an initial three-year term with the possibility of a five-year renewal, with the market expected to fully launch at an unspecified date in 2027.
Importantly, each licence will cover only one brand, and any single operator will be capped at a maximum of three licences in total.
Entain chief executive Stella David addressed the New Zealand opportunity directly during the company’s FY25 earnings call, expressing strong confidence in securing all three available licences.
David said: “I think the opportunity for us is significant because we’ll be the only player who will be able to do cross-sell.”
She also noted that the Entain Australia and New Zealand division, led by local CEO Andrew Vouris, was actively leaning into the market and engaging with local partners.
David has previously indicated that New Zealand’s newly regulated online gambling market could be worth as much as £600 million annually, underlining the strategic importance of the region.
With BlackRush and FoxySpins already positioned, Entain appears to be moving decisively to secure its maximum allowable presence before the regulated market officially opens its doors.
