New Zealand government warned of potential onslaught of online casino ads

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New Zealanders could face an onslaught of aggressive online casino advertising if the government lifts its current ban, MPs have been told.

Pub Charity Managing Director Martin Cheer told the Governance and Administration select committee that New Zealanders could expect a torrent of “push alerts” and “free money incentives.”

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“There’s going to be a tsunami of promotion. People will be sick of it. If you are sick of Entain and the TAB advertising on TV, you ain’t seen nothing yet,” Cheer said.

The government says its proposed Online Casino Bill is aimed at making online gambling safer while raising revenue. It would allow up to 15 licensed online casinos to operate and advertise, with unlicensed sites blocked via geo-blocking, which would require a VPN to bypass.

But Cheer warned the restrictions would be largely ineffective and argued that licensing some operators would bring “hundreds of thousands” of online machines into homes.

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A spokesperson for the Problem Gambling Foundation, Andree Froude, also highlighted the risks of inducements, which target impulsive gamblers and those already struggling.

She recounted a case in which a woman was lured by a NZ$1,000 (US$593)1 NZD = 0.5926 USD
2025-09-09Powered by CMG CurrenShift bonus only to be trapped by wagering requirements.

On the other hand, representatives from international gambling operators and the state monopoly betting organization TAB welcomed the bill, arguing that regulation would allow them to enter the market under controlled conditions.

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