Key Takeaways:
- Influencers in New Zealand receive takedown notices for promoting offshore casinos.
- They could face fines of up to $10,000 if they don’t remove the content.
- The government is targeting ads that harm Māori communities.
- New Zealand plans to regulate online casinos in 2026.
- Brazil also cracked down on gambling ads on YouTube.
New Zealand’s Crackdown on Influencers Promoting Casinos
Have you ever seen your favorite social media influencers promoting online casinos? Well, in New Zealand, this is now a serious problem. The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has sent warnings to influencers who promote offshore gambling sites. If they don’t remove these posts, they could face big fines—up to $10,000 for each rule they break.
Why is this happening? Because the law in New Zealand says it’s illegal to advertise offshore gambling sites. Vicki Scott, who heads the DIA’s gambling regulation, says, “We’ve been investigating this, and we will take action against influencers who break the law.” She also said that even though $10,000 might seem like a small fine, it can add up fast if the influencer keeps breaking the rules.
Targeting Māori Communities
What’s even more concerning is that these gambling sites are targeting Māori communities. Many offshore casinos use Māori influencers to reach Māori people. According to the Ministry of Health, Māori are three times more likely to have gambling problems compared to non-Māori.
Jason Alexander from Hāpai Te Hauora, a Māori public health group, says, “These gambling companies are using Māori influencers to target Māori audiences. It’s not just harmful—it’s manipulative and shows they don’t care about our families’ well-being.”
The Big Picture: Regulating Online Casinos
Right now, the DIA has sent warning letters to some influencers and is investigating others. Vicki Scott says they won’t name these influencers to protect their privacy, but she believes dozens of them might be breaking the law.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand government is planning to regulate online casinos. In 2026, they’ll start issuing 15 licenses to gambling companies, likely big foreign firms, to operate legally in the country. For the first time, these companies will be allowed to advertise their services.
But some groups, like the Problem Gambling Foundation and Hāpai Te Hauora, are worried. They say if online casinos are allowed to advertise freely, there could be even more gambling problems, especially in vulnerable communities. They’re calling for a total ban on all gambling ads, including those by influencers.
Brazil’s Gambling Ad Crackdown
New Zealand isn’t the only country taking action. In Brazil, authorities stepped in to stop fraudulent gambling ads on YouTube channels. Over 50 channels were promoting fake betting schemes to audiences of over 100,000 viewers each. Brazil’s government had to intervene to stop this.
This shows that the problem of harmful gambling ads isn’t just in New Zealand—it’s a global issue.
What’s Next for Influencers and Online Casinos?
So, what does this mean for influencers and gambling companies? It’s clear that governments are paying close attention to how gambling is promoted online. Influencers need to be careful about what they promote, or they could face serious consequences.
At the same time, governments like New Zealand’s are trying to find a balance between regulating gambling and stopping harmful ads. As online gambling grows, it’s likely we’ll see more rules to protect people, especially vulnerable communities.
Conclusion
In short, New Zealand is taking a strong stand against influencers promoting offshore casinos. With fines, investigations, and new regulations on the way, the online gambling landscape is set to change. It’s also a reminder of how important it is to protect communities from harmful ads. Whether you’re an influencer or just someone who enjoys online content, it’s good to stay informed and think about how these ads might affect others.
