17 November 2025

Kia ora,

I’ve recently returned to New Zealand after attending the International Association of Gambling Regulators (IAGR) Conference in Toronto, Canada. The conference was an incredibly insightful opportunity to connect with regulators from around the world and explore the shared challenges we face in overseeing online gambling. It was clear that effective regulation of online casinos is a global effort and one that relies on strong international partnerships, open dialogue and a commitment to continuous learning.

There is a real sense of momentum in the international regulatory space, particularly the establishment of international working groups which have been set up to tackle shared issues such as illegal online gambling and the black market. It was inspiring to see the generosity and openness of our overseas counterparts, who shared their insights and experiences so freely. We’re looking forward to continuing to build on these relationships and contribute to collective solutions.

Group photo of all delegates at the International Association of Gambling Regulators (IAGR) Conference in Toronto, Canada.

Online Gambling Bill Update

For those living outside of New Zealand, you may have missed the latest news from the Minister of Internal Affairs, here is a link to the announcement.

Select Committee submissions closed on 17 August 2025, and the committee are now considering the feedback as part of its work to scrutinise the Bill. The next step is for the committee to submit a report back to Parliament including any recommended changes to the Bill. This is due on 4 December 2025.

Crackdown on NZ influencer gambling promotion

Our Gambling compliance team has been making headlines over the past couple of months after four social media influencers received fines for illegally promoting online gambling.

Several influencers with sizable audiences on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok had received warnings after partnering with international online casinos and promoting them with live-streams, promotional giveaways, and affiliate links. It is illegal to promote an offshore gambling operator in New Zealand under the Gambling Act 2003.

Overall, the response from influencers has been constructive, with many immediately removing the offending content. If influencers do not comply, breaches can lead to fines of up to $10,000. These penalties apply to each instance of illegal advertising, meaning repeated breaches can result in more substantial fines and can quickly escalate.

 The Online Casino Gambling Bill proposes allowing licensed operators to advertise, with restrictions, to people in New Zealand. Anyone else advertising online casino gambling to people in New Zealand may be subject to enforcement action. We are currently engaging with social media and advertising platforms to ensure they are prepared to support compliance, including the removal of advertisements by unlicensed providers.

In addition, in determining the suitability of applicants for a licence, the Bill proposes requiring the DIA to take into account any breach or investigation for a breach of any relevant legislation, including the Gambling Act 2003.

I look forward to being able to share further information about the programme once the Select Committee process is complete. You can stay up to date with the progress of the Online Casino Gambling Bill on the New Zealand Parliament website.

Ngā mihi nui,
Trina Lowry
Programme Director - Online Gambling Implementation