New Zealand orders LeoVegas to cease local advertising

The New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has instructed Malta-licensed operator LeoVegas to cease advertising to local consumers, marking the latest action in an ongoing crackdown on offshore gambling promotion.

The DIA confirmed that LeoVegas is the fourth overseas operator since 2023 to receive a formal notice under the Gambling Act 2003, which prohibits the advertising of unlicensed offshore gambling services in New Zealand.

Previous notices were issued to Curaçao-licensed 22Bet in April 2023, Alderney-licensed Jackpot City in November 2023 and Curaçao-licensed 20Bet last month.

According to the DIA, both 22Bet and Jackpot City appeared to scale back their New Zealand-facing activity following formal intervention, while monitoring continues for 20Bet and LeoVegas.

DIA branch performance director Mark Batt said the department routinely tracks companies operating in the "international grey market" and is prepared to take further steps where necessary.

Recent measures have included reminding national sporting bodies of their obligations regarding offshore gambling sponsorships, particularly where visiting teams may display overseas operators on their kits.

The DIA has also escalated enforcement against individuals promoting unlicensed gambling services. Earlier this year, 12 infringement notices totalling NZ$60,000 ($35,000) were issued to platform Spinbet for influencer-based promotions, while several New Zealand influencers received multiple NZ$5,000 fines for similar breaches.

In parallel with these enforcement actions, the Government continues to progress its Online Casino Gambling Bill, which will introduce a regulated licensing framework from February.

The legislation includes provisions to guarantee community funding from gambling revenue - a response to public submissions expressing concern about the impact of online gambling on existing community funding models.