SkillOnNet becomes 11th licensed online casino operator in New Zealand

SkillOnNet has obtained one of New Zealand's 15 online casino licences under the Online Casino Gambling Act, becoming the 11th operator to secure a licence. The company paid an NZD8.51m licensing fee and was selected from 32 bidders. It plans to launch locally under its PlayOJO brand.

“We are honoured to have secured the opportunity to participate in the next stage of New Zealand’s licensing process.”

The legislation governing these licences took effect in May 2026. Applications were accepted from July 2026, with a $10,780 non-refundable fee required from every applicant. After SkillOnNet's approval, only four operator slots are left.

SkillOnNet currently holds 16 gaming licences across Europe and the Americas, with operations in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Ontario and Alberta in Canada. The company has also agreed content arrangements with Games Global for its Legendary Progressive jackpot portfolio, with Amusnet in Greece, and with ODDSWork, Octoplay, Konami and others.

Maor Nutkevitch, SkillOnNet's head of corporate development, said the company was honoured to have secured the opportunity to take part in the next stage of New Zealand's licensing process. He said that if successful, it would reflect the company's experience and record in regulated markets. Nutkevitch also set out plans to use the PlayOJO brand to build an online casino in the country.

GamblingNews reported one estimate that more than $770m is gambled overseas in the absence of a regulated market in New Zealand.