SkillOnNet has secured the right to apply for one of New Zealand's 15 online casino licences, advancing to the regulatory assessment stage following the country's competitive auction process.
The operator was among 11 entities that secured application rights after an auction involving 32 bidders. The process concluded after 10 rounds, with the final price reaching NZ$15m for each licence.
New Zealand's Online Casino Gambling Act came into force in May 2026, establishing a regulated framework under which a maximum of 15 online casino licences can be awarded.
SkillOnNet must now submit a full application for regulatory assessment. Applicants are required to provide detailed business plans alongside strategies addressing advertising and marketing, consumer protection, gambling harm prevention and regulatory compliance.
The company intends to operate its PlayOJO brand in New Zealand if its application is successful.
SkillOnNet currently holds 16 gaming licences across Europe and the Americas, including approvals in regulated markets such as the UK, Germany, Sweden, Ontario and Alberta.
The New Zealand framework includes requirements covering player protection, responsible gambling measures, age verification, advertising and operational transparency as authorities seek to bring online casino activity under domestic regulation.
SkillOnNet Head of Corporate Development Maor Nutkevitch said the company's experience operating across regulated jurisdictions would support its application, adding that the group sees potential for PlayOJO in the New Zealand market.
Other successful auction participants include SkyCity, Stake and TAB New Zealand. Several applicants secured rights to apply for more than one licence.
From 1 December 2026, providers that have not applied for a licence must stop offering online casino gambling services in New Zealand. Operators that have submitted applications can continue operating while their applications are assessed, subject to restrictions including an exemption from advertising until a decision is made.
Winning an auction right does not guarantee that a licence will be granted
