SkillOnNet wins right to apply after NZ$15m New Zealand licence auction
Operator one of 11 successful bidders in 10-round auction under new May 2026 law
Key Takeaways
- SkillOnNet moved to the application stage after being one of 11 successful bidders in the auction.
- The auction ran for 10 rounds, drew 32 bidders and finished at NZ$15 million per licence.
- New Zealand's Online Casino Gambling Act came into force in May 2026 and allows up to 15 online casino licences.
- Winners of the auction must submit full applications for regulatory assessment under the Act's player protection and operational rules.
SkillOnNet has progressed to the application stage for a New Zealand online casino licence after securing the right to apply in a competitive auction on 20 October 2026. The company was one of 11 successful bidders in a contest that attracted 32 bidders and ran for 10 rounds, with the final price set at NZ$15 million per licence.
Auction outcome
The auction awarded rights to apply rather than licences themselves; winners proceed to submit full applications for regulatory assessment. New Zealand’s Online Casino Gambling Act came into force in May 2026 and permits up to 15 online casino licences under the new framework. Bidders paid the NZ$15 million final price per licence at the close of the 10th round.
Next stage and regulatory requirements
SkillOnNet confirmed it will lodge a full application for assessment. The regulatory framework sets conditions covering player protection, responsible gambling, age verification, advertising and operational transparency, and will be assessed by New Zealand authorities during the licensing process. The framework is published alongside the Act and sits within the wider regulation section of policymaking.
“We are honoured to have secured the opportunity to participate in the next stage of New Zealand’s licensing process,” said Maor Nutkevitch, Head of Corporate Development at SkillOnNet.
Maor Nutkevitch added that, if the application is successful, SkillOnNet plans to target its PlayOJO brand in the market and build it into one of the country’s leading online casinos.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did SkillOnNet win in the New Zealand auction?
SkillOnNet won the right to apply for a New Zealand online casino licence after being one of 11 successful bidders in a 10-round auction that attracted 32 bidders and ended at NZ$15 million per licence.
When did New Zealand's law permitting online casino licences come into force?
The Online Casino Gambling Act came into force in May 2026, establishing the regulatory framework that allows up to 15 online casino licences.
What requirements will applicants face under the New Zealand framework?
Applicants will be assessed against requirements covering player protection, responsible gambling, age verification, advertising and operational transparency as set out under the Online Casino Gambling Act.
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About the author
Eleanor Whitfield
Regulatory Affairs Correspondent
Eleanor Whitfield tracks gambling legislation, licensing decisions, and regulator enforcement across key markets — from the UKGC, MGA, and Germany's GGL to Spain's DGOJ and the state-by-state map in the Americas. The reporting answers three questions precisely: what changed, where, and who it affects, with jurisdictions, effective dates, and penalty figures named exactly as published. Compliance officers and operators read Eleanor Whitfield to know which rulebook moved before their next board meeting.
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