The DIA or Department of Internal Affairs of New Zealand has issued a combined NZ$125,000 or US$72,276 in fines to four social media influencers, as well as Spinbet, an offshore operator for breaching gambling advertising laws.
Authorities fined Millie Elder-Holmes NZ$30,000 (US$17,346) for repeated promotions. They also fined Calen Morris and Billy Whaanga NZ$20,000 (US$11,564) each, and Tuhira Wana NZ$15,000 (US$8,673). Local media reported that regulators penalized Curacao-based casino and sportsbook Spinbet NZ$60,000 (US$34,692) for 12 breaches.
Earlier in May, regulators fined Elder-Holmes NZ$5,000 (US$2,891) for numerous violations before imposing the latest penalties. According to DIA, it repeated infractions could lead to account suspensions or restrictions on social media platforms.
Vicki Scott, Internal Affairs Director of Gambling, said that the regulator has observed a rise in irregular activity. Reaching 75 cases in the current year, complaints about influencers promoting gambling doubled over two years. Compared with 24 in June, she confirmed 40 influencers are now on the DIA gambling watchlist.
With eight influencers under active investigation, the DIA has issued 17 warning letters and 26 cease-and-desist notices. Scott told The New Zealand Herald that the $5,000 doesn’t seem like a lot, but it can very quickly rack up if influencers continue to post. She added that persistent violators could face deactivation or geo-locking of their accounts.
Scott noted that offshore operators pay influencers significantly more than the fine amounts. She said that tens of thousands to the hundreds of thousands. There’s no concrete evidence, but if people are willing to incur $5,000 per post, you have to assume people are receiving a fair amount from the casinos.
The New Zealand Government is moving to regulate its online gambling sector. Overseen by Act Minister Brooke van Velden, new legislation is set to take effect in the coming year. Expected to raise up to NZ$200 million, it will auction 15 online casino licenses. Authorities will issue licenses on three-year terms beginning February 2026.
