The New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) is intensifying its enforcement campaign against unauthorized gambling promotions after two social media influencers refused to cease promoting offshore gambling operators, despite receiving formal warnings from authorities.

The development comes as the New Zealand government prepares to introduce fines of up to $5 million NZD for unlicensed gambling operators, part of a broader effort to curb the influence of unregulated online betting platforms on local audiences — particularly younger demographics.

Escalating Enforcement and Non-Compliance

According to a report from the New Zealand Herald, the DIA initially issued compliance notices to eight influencers earlier this year. Six complied with the directive, but two individuals reportedly refused to fully adhere to the department’s requirements.

The names of the non-compliant influencers have not been publicly disclosed, but sources close to the investigation confirm that both continue to promote offshore gambling services in breach of existing advertising guidelines.

In April alone, the DIA received 50 formal complaints regarding gambling advertisements on social media, prompting the regulator to place 26 accounts under special monitoring.

Influencer Backlash and Ethical Pushback

While some influencers have resisted enforcement, others have publicly spoken out against gambling sponsorships, citing ethical concerns and reputational risk:

• Te Ravitirōa Bosch (119K followers) declined multiple offers from offshore casinos, stating that “mana is more important than money.”
• Pāaka Davis (556K followers) rejected a $5,000 NZD offer for a single promotional post, expressing concern over his influence on young audiences.
• Makayla Carr, another prominent voice, also distanced herself from gambling-related content.

Their stances align with a growing public sentiment in New Zealand, where online gambling is tightly regulated and the promotion of unlicensed services is increasingly viewed as a public risk.

Regulatory Response and Forthcoming Penalties

In response to rising concerns, the New Zealand government is preparing to implement significant penalties for non-compliance, including:

• Fines of up to $5 million NZD for offshore operators advertising without a license
• Expanded enforcement powers for the DIA to monitor and restrict gambling promotions on social platforms
• Stronger collaboration with social media companies to remove illegal or misleading gambling content

These measures are intended to reinforce New Zealand’s regulatory framework, which currently permits only licensed operators to offer gambling services to residents under strict conditions.

Outlook: Digital Regulation Faces Growing Test

The clash between regulators and influencers highlights the complex challenges of enforcing gambling laws in the digital age. With social media platforms serving as lucrative marketing channels for offshore operators, enforcement agencies must now balance freedom of expression with public interest protections — particularly around harm minimization and youth exposure.

As regulatory pressure increases and new legal instruments take effect, New Zealand may become a model for digital gambling enforcement in smaller but high-compliance jurisdictions.