New Zealand stops 20Bet ads to locals

The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has issued a directive to 20Bet to cease all advertising targeting New Zealanders, as reported by Radio New Zealand.

The Cyprus-registered website had been promoting online pokies and sports betting through paid YouTube advertisements directed at local users, in breach of the Gambling Act, which prohibits the promotion of overseas gambling services. Sports and racing betting is also banned unless conducted under the control of TAB.

"The Department is aware of recent advertising by 20Bet on YouTube," said Vicki Scott, DIA's director of gambling. "We have instructed 20Bet to cease these activities. We will continue to monitor the situation and take further action if necessary."

Copy on 20Bet's official website appeared to directly appeal to New Zealand users, claiming that "taking risks is something that Kiwis like doing." The company has yet to respond publicly to the order.

Andrée Froude, Advocacy Director for the Problem Gambling Foundation, welcomed the DIA's move, saying that unlicensed platforms frequently advertise in New Zealand despite the law. "We are seeing too many of these operators blatantly advertising to New Zealanders," she said. "It can be difficult to act when they are based overseas, but hopefully we will see the advertising stop."

She added that YouTube remains a key channel for such illegal promotions and encouraged the public to report offshore gambling ads to the DIA to help curb similar breaches in the future.