SkillOnNet wins auction slot to apply for New Zealand online casino licence after NZ$15 million bidding round

SkillOnNet has cleared the auction stage of New Zealand’s new online casino regime and can now submit a formal licence application. That is not the same as being licensed, which matters for anyone watching when the market actually opens and which operators make it through the regulator’s assessment.

1. The company was among 11 successful entities selected to move on after New Zealand’s competitive government auction for online casino licences. The auction drew 32 bidders and ran for 10 rounds, with the final price reaching NZ$15 million per licence.
2. The process sits under the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026, which came into force on 1 May 2026. The law created a dedicated framework for online casino gambling in New Zealand and set up a three-stage path: expressions of interest, a competitive auction, and a detailed application assessment.
3. What SkillOnNet won is the right to apply, not regulatory approval to operate. Each applicant still has to satisfy the Department of Internal Affairs on legal, financial, operational, and consumer protection requirements before receiving permission under the new regime.
4. The framework allows for up to 15 licences. Licences can be granted for periods of up to three years, with the possibility of renewal for a further five years, and the law also covers licence conditions, renewals, suspensions, cancellations, and enforcement.
5. SkillOnNet has said it intends to proceed with a full application. For PSPs, acquirers, and banks looking at New Zealand exposure, the important bit is that the auction has identified the contenders, but the actual operating population will depend on who clears the assessment stage.