Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
A so-far, unnamed United States-funded group is leading a class action lawsuit against SkyCity.com’s Malta-based online gambling platform, which has been operating since 2020.
In a statement to the market, casino operator SkyCity said the class action group was “seeking to test the lawfulness of the online gaming operations” operated by Europe-based Silvereye on behalf of SkyCity’s Malta subsidiary.
The class action is over gambling monies lost to SkyCity Online between February 2020 and February 2026.
SkyCity set up the Malta operations after it began losing potential earnings to overseas online operators who had been marketing gambling services to New Zealand residents.
SkyCity believed the Malta operation would allow it to legally operate a platform using the SkyCity brand, while still complying with New Zealand laws, including tax regulations and host responsibility rules which applied in New Zealand.
RNZ understands that belief is what was being tested by the class action group, who were understood to be seeking refunds for every New Zealand gambler who ever lost a bet on the Malta-based SkyCity platform, on the premise that the online platform was illegal.
SkyCity said it denied any such liability and would actively defend the proceedings.
The company said it was still reviewing the legal action and would make no further comment.