The Parliament has voiced significant concerns about a new Government proposal that would allow licensed online casinos to advertise in New Zealand, sparking fears of a surge in aggressive gambling promotions.
Martin Cheer, managing director of Pub Charity, told the Governance and Administration select committee that the proposed Online Casino Bill could unleash a “tsunami” of advertising, with tactics like free credits and push notifications becoming widespread.
Martin Cheer, Pub Charity managing director, mentioned:
If you are sick of seeing Entain and TAB on your screen now, you have not seen anything yet.
He noted that although geo-blocking could restrict access to unlicensed platforms, it would do little to stop determined users who are familiar with ways to bypass such measures.
Problem Gambling Foundation spokesperson Andree Froude said it was especially concerning that the bill does not prohibit inducements, describing such promotions as predatory toward young or vulnerable players. She cited an example of a woman enticed by a NZD $1,000 (US$592) bonus, only to discover she had to wager 40 times before being able to withdraw.
Critics including Martin Cheer and Community Sport Collective’s Martin Snedden argued that allowing online casino advertising would cut into revenue from physical gaming machines, threatening funding streams for community sport and services.
At the same time, parts of the industry reacted positively to the proposal. TAB signaled interest in entering the market through a partnership with UK-based Entain, while Guernsey-headquartered SGHC voiced support for the legislation but urged the removal of the cap on licensed operators.
The Governance and Administration select committee is continuing to review submissions on the bill.
