Campaigners call for tougher enforcement of New Zealand online casino ad rules
The Problem Gambling Foundation says operators’ past breaches should influence their eligibility for domestic online casino licences.
Key takeaways:
- The Problem Gambling Foundation (PGF) says offshore gambling operators routinely disregard New Zealand’s advertising restrictions.
- It wants operators’ past compliance records to influence their eligibility for domestic online casino licences.
- New advertising regulations for licensed online casinos are expected to take effect in June 2027. Current rules prohibit overseas gambling operators from advertising directly to New Zealand consumers, with fines of up to NZ$10,000 (US$5,660) upon conviction.
New Zealand.- As New Zealand prepares to introduce for the launch of a new regulated online casino market, there have been calls for tighter enforcement against unlawful advertising. Andree Froude, advocacy director at the Problem Gambling Foundation (PGF) told RNZ’s Morning Report that offshore gambling operators have routinely disregarded New Zealand’s advertising restrictions, using social media, influencer partnerships, promotional cash offers and even physical tagging on buildings to reach local audiences.
Under current rules, overseas gambling operators are prohibited from advertising directly to New Zealand consumers, with potential fines reaching up to NZ$10,000 (US$5,660) upon conviction. However, Froude argued that such a fine is a limited deterrent without strong enforcement. He called for the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) to be fully resourced to monitor market activity and pursue legal action against violators.
Some 11 entities recently secured rights to apply for 15 online casino licences in New Zealand. The PGF argues that an operator’s past compliance record should directly impact their eligibility for a domestic licence, stating that companies that have repeatedly breached local laws should not be granted operating rights.
New advertising regulations specific to licensed online casinos are expected to take effect in June 2027. In the meantime, the DIA plans to maintain an official public register of approved brands once licensing evaluations are complete, helping players verify which sites are legally operating.
