New Zealand warns influencers they face fines for advertising offshore casinos
RNZ has reported that the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs, which handles igaming enforcement, for the first time has issued takedown notices to influencers promoting offshore gambling operators.
“We’ve been investigating this and we will be taking actions in relation to those influencers who are very publicly and clearly breaking the law,” Vicki Scott, Director of Gambling Regulatory Services, told RNZ.
The Department of Internal Affairs did not identify the influencers to protect their privacy but confirmed it had sent four warning letters and was investigating 13 other influencers.
Influencers who break the law could face a fine of up to NZ$10,000 (US$5,710)1 NZD = 0.5713 USD
2025-04-01Powered by CMG CurrenShift for each regulation breach, so each ad could incur this fine.
Section 9 (2)(B) of the Gambling Act 2003 bans remote interactive gambling, which includes “gambling by a person at a distance by interaction through a communication device.” Communication devices include computers, phones and other online platforms.
While offshore operators are not permitted to operate, the New Zealand government is looking to offer 15 online casino licenses to operators so that these sites could provide legal gaming.
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