Oct 15, 2026 | 3:46 am
SkillOnNet has advanced to the next stage of New Zealand's online casino licensing process after securing the right to submit an application under the country's new regulatory framework. The operator was among 11 successful bidders in an auction that attracted 32 participants and covered 15 available licences.
The auction concluded after 10 rounds, with a final price of NZ$15 million per licence. SkillOnNet must now submit a full application for regulatory assessment before it can establish an authorised online casino operation in the country.
New Zealand's Online Casino Gambling Act came into force in May 2026, creating a dedicated framework for licensed online casino gambling. The system introduces requirements covering player protection, responsible gambling, age verification, advertising and operational transparency.
PlayOJO Identified as Key Market Opportunity
SkillOnNet intends to establish PlayOJO as one of New Zealand's leading online casino brands if it receives regulatory approval. The company cited its international experience in regulated markets as a foundation for its application.
SkillOnNet holds 16 gaming licences across Europe and the Americas, including in the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Ontario and Alberta. Its experience operating under different regulatory systems could support its efforts to enter New Zealand's developing market, although approval remains subject to the licensing process.
Maor Nutkevitch, SkillOnNet's head of corporate development, said the successful auction bid gave the company an opportunity to pursue entry into the market.
“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.”
The comments outline the company's ambitions for PlayOJO, but its entry into the market depends on completing the application process and obtaining the necessary authorisation.
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Content Partnerships Support International Operations
SkillOnNet's casino platforms offer live casino games from international content providers. The company has also continued expanding its supplier relationships as it develops operations in regulated jurisdictions.
Earlier in 2026, SkillOnNet broadened its partnership with live casino content supplier Amusnet by introducing its game portfolio to the company's recently launched Greek online gambling operation.
The agreement brought Amusnet titles to RegencyCasino.gr, a platform developed by SkillOnNet in partnership with Regency Entertainment, a Greek land-based casino operator.
The deal extends an existing commercial relationship between the two companies, with Amusnet content already integrated across several regulated markets served by SkillOnNet's network.
While the Greek agreement concerns a separate market, it illustrates SkillOnNet's approach to expanding its casino content offering through supplier partnerships. The company has identified PlayOJO as its principal opportunity in New Zealand, where the licensing framework is intended to establish regulated online casino operations.
Source:
“SkillOnNet Advances to Next Stage of New Zealand Online Casino Licensing Process“, skillonnet.com, October 20, 2026.