SkillOnNet Selected Among 11 Operators for New Zealand Online Casino License Application
SkillOnNet is one of 11 operators advancing to full application after New Zealand’s auction drew 32 bidders and closed at NZ$15m per license. The Online Casino Gambling Act, effective May 2026, caps licenses at 15 and imposes strict rules on player protection and transparency. The operator cites its 16 existing licenses as alignment with the framework.
SCCG Take — The high auction price and compliance threshold favor operators with proven multi-jurisdictional records. Execution risk now shifts to the regulatory assessment stage.
SkillOnNet has advanced from a field of 32 bidders to one of 11 operators entitled to submit a full application for a New Zealand online casino license. The auction concluded after 10 rounds at a final price of NZ$15m per license.
The Online Casino Gambling Act entered into force in May 2026 and permits up to 15 licenses. Bidders who cleared the initial stage must now satisfy regulatory assessment against defined criteria.
Standards Imposed by the New Framework
The licensing rules require detailed coverage of player protection, responsible gambling, age verification, advertising, and operational transparency. These elements are intended to minimise gambling-related harm, safeguard consumers, and support a sustainable online gaming environment.
SkillOnNet enters this phase with 16 existing gaming licenses across Europe and the Americas, including the UK, Germany, Sweden, Ontario and Alberta. The operator intends to position its PlayOJO brand as one of the market’s leading destinations.
Path Ahead for Selected Operators
Maor Nutkevitch, Head of Corporate Development at SkillOnNet, said: “We are honoured to have secured the opportunity to participate in the next stage of New Zealand’s licensing process. If successful, it would be a testament to our extensive experience and proven track record in regulated markets around the world. New Zealand’s decision to establish a dedicated regulatory framework for online casinos is particularly exciting for us because it plays directly to our strengths as a company. We see enormous potential for PlayOJO in this market, and our ambition is to build it into one of the country’s leading online casinos, bringing New Zealand players the distinctive entertainment experience that has made PlayOJO such a success internationally.”
As reported by G3 Newswire, the outcome illustrates the premium placed on prior regulatory compliance. The NZ$15m commitment and exacting standards limit entry to operators equipped for sustained adherence. The 11 operators secured the right to apply and will now proceed to the next stage submitting a full application for regulatory assessment.
Reporting: G3 Newswire
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
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