The DIA Orders 20Bet to Stop Targeting Kiwis with YouTube Gambling Ads

New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has issued a notice to offshore operator 20Bet, ordering it to stop advertising to New Zealanders. The action follows paid promotions seen on YouTube that marketed online pokies and sports betting to Kiwi audiences, despite New Zealand’s ban on promoting offshore gambling. In comments reported by Radio New Zealand, DIA said it had instructed the operator to cease the advertising and signalled it would keep monitoring for further breaches.

What the DIA told 20Bet

DIA confirmed it was aware of 20Bet advertising on YouTube and said it had instructed the operator to stop.

 We have instructed 20Bet to cease these activities.

RNZ also reported that 20Bet’s own website copy directly referenced Kiwi players, suggesting the campaign was designed to appeal to a New Zealand audience rather than being generic international marketing.

Why the ads are illegal in New Zealand

Under the DIA guidance, online casinos based in New Zealand are illegal, and online casino gambling remains unregulated for player protection when operators are offshore. The DIA also states it is illegal to advertise offshore online casino gambling in New Zealand under section 16 of the Gambling Act, with further detail provided in its public FAQs.

That legal position is why enforcement action can focus on marketing and promotion, even when the operator itself is based overseas and outside New Zealand’s direct licensing system today.

What happens next and what players can do

The DIA told RNZ it will keep monitoring and may take further action if the advertising continues. That approach matters because offshore campaigns can reappear quickly, especially on large platforms and ad networks.

RNZ also quoted the Problem Gambling Foundation encouraging people to report offshore gambling advertising when they see it, particularly on YouTube. For players, the practical takeaway is simple: if a gambling ad looks NZ-targeted but the operator isn’t licensed here, it is worth treating it as a red flag and reporting it.