SkillOnNet, the company behind PlayOJO, is one of 11 operators that secured the right to apply for one of New Zealand’s new online casino licences after a competitive auction process. It has named PlayOJO as the site it wants to establish as one of New Zealand’s leading online casino destinations.
The Online Casino Gambling Act came into force in May 2026 and allows up to 15 online casino licences to be awarded. The auction attracted 32 bidders and concluded after 10 rounds at a final price of NZ$15 million per licence, iGB reported.
Next step is a full application
The auction result gives SkillOnNet the right to apply, and the company will now submit a full application for regulatory assessment. The licensing framework sets requirements covering player protection, responsible gambling, age verification, advertising and operational transparency. Our guide to New Zealand gambling law covers how the licensing system works.
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.”
PlayOJO plans for New Zealand
SkillOnNet holds 16 gaming licences across Europe and the Americas, including the UK, Germany, Sweden, Ontario and Alberta. PlayOJO is its flagship iGaming site.
Nutkevitch said the company’s plans for this market centre on that brand: “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.”
The statement from SkillOnNet uses the words “If successful”, so PlayOJO’s arrival as a licensed New Zealand casino depends on the outcome of the regulatory assessment.