Offshore Gambling Website 20Bet Ordered to Halt New Zealand Advertising
The Department of Internal Affairs has directed offshore gambling website 20Bet to immediately cease all advertising activities targeting New Zealand residents.
20Bet, registered in Cyprus, has been promoting online pokies and sports betting to New Zealanders through paid advertisements on platforms like YouTube. Promoting overseas gambling is prohibited under New Zealand’s Gambling Act, and all sports and racing betting must be controlled by the TAB. This action comes as concerns grow about the accessibility of online gambling for vulnerable New Zealanders.
“The Department is aware of recent advertising by 20Bet on YouTube,” stated Vicki Scott, director of gambling at the Department of Internal Affairs. “We have instructed 20Bet to cease these activities. We will continue to monitor the situation and take further action if necessary.” The website’s copy directly appeals to a New Zealand audience, stating that “taking risks is something that Kiwis like doing.”
Andrée Froude, director of advocacy for the Problem Gambling Foundation, welcomed the Department’s intervention. “We’re seeing too many of these operators who are just blatantly advertising to New Zealanders despite the fact that it’s illegal,” Froude said. “This is an opportunity to urge people to report it to the DIA when they see these offshore operators advertising particularly on YouTube.” New Zealand’s gambling laws are designed to protect citizens from the potential harms associated with gambling.
The Department of Internal Affairs will continue to monitor 20Bet’s compliance and is urging the public to report any further instances of advertising from the website or similar offshore operators.
