SkillOnNet, the iGaming group that runs PlayOJO, has been cleared to submit a full licence application in New Zealand’s new regulated online casino market.
The company is one of 11 operators to secure that right through an auction. Its next step is a full application, which will be assessed by the regulator before any licence is granted.
SkillOnNet said it intends to use PlayOJO as its lead brand in New Zealand, a market of around five million people.
Being cleared to apply is not the same as holding a licence. SkillOnNet must still satisfy the regulator during the assessment stage before it can begin operating legally in the country.
How the licensing process works
New Zealand’s Online Casino Gambling Act came into force in May 2026 and allows a maximum of 15 online casino licences. The right to apply was sold at auction.
- 32 bidders took part in the auction
- Bidding ran over 10 rounds
- The final price was NZ$15 million per licence
- Applicants must meet rules on player protection, responsible gambling, age verification, advertising and operational transparency
With only 15 licences available under the law and 11 operators now cleared to apply, the number of online casino brands able to operate legally in New Zealand will be limited from the start.
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What the company said
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.” He added that the company sees “enormous potential” for PlayOJO in the market.
About SkillOnNet
SkillOnNet holds 16 gaming licences across Europe and the Americas, covering markets including the UK, Germany, Sweden, Ontario and Alberta. New Zealand would add an Asia-Pacific market to that footprint.
