SkyCity and the TAB have complained there won't be a level playing field when the new regulations for online gambling kick in.

The Government is set to auction off 15 online casino licences - and both local and international companies will be allowed to bid on the licences. 

Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says it's important proper regulations are put in place.

"We are enabling people to play safely in a regulated market - which is not the case at the moment. But we are also not trying to restrict it so much that we're not actually channelling people into that market."

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