Four New Zealand influencers fined for breaching ad laws
Summary
Four New Zealand influencers and the Curacao-licensed operator Spinbet have been collectively fined NZ$125,000 (£53,900) for promoting unlicensed online casinos that breach local advertising rules. Individual fines: Calen Morris and Billy Whaanga NZ$20,000 each (four breaches each), Tuhira Wana NZ$15,000 (three breaches) and Millie Elder-Holmes NZ$10,000 (two breaches) — Elder-Holmes had already paid a NZ$5,000 penalty earlier in May. Spinbet was fined NZ$60,000 for 12 infringements.
The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) says overseas online casinos currently operate in a grey market in New Zealand, with limited consumer protections and inconsistent harm-minimisation. DIA director Vicki Scott warned that influencers are being offered large sums — reportedly between NZ$50,000 and NZ$500,000 — which can make breaching rules financially tempting. The DIA is engaging social platforms to disrupt offending influencers directly.
Major change is coming: new legislation due in 2026 will licence 15 online casino operators via auction (expected to raise around NZ$200m / £86.2m), give regulators stronger powers including takedown notices, and allow fines of up to NZ$5m for unlicensed platforms.
Author style: Punchy — this is more than a fines story; it signals a regulatory turning point for online gambling promotion in New Zealand.
Key Points
- Total fines: NZ$125,000 (£53,900) split between four influencers and Spinbet.
- Individual influencer fines: Calen Morris NZ$20,000; Billy Whaanga NZ$20,000; Tuhira Wana NZ$15,000; Millie Elder-Holmes NZ$10,000 (plus a prior NZ$5,000 fine).
- Spinbet (Curacao licence) fined NZ$60,000 for 12 breaches of advertising rules.
- DIA describes the existing offshore market as a “wild west” with unclear protections for players (age checks, payouts, consumer safety).
- DIA is working with social platforms to remove or deactivate accounts of influencers who repeatedly flout rules.
- New 2026 law will licence 15 operators, raise funds via auction (~NZ$200m), grant tougher enforcement powers and enable fines up to NZ$5m for unlicensed operators.
Context and relevance
This matters to anyone in affiliate marketing, social media promotion, compliance or operator relations. The fines show regulators are prepared to penalise promoters, and the incoming 2026 regime will shift the landscape from an unregulated offshore environment to a licensed domestic market with stronger enforcement tools. Brands, affiliates and influencers should reassess risk, disclosure and compliance practices now — and platforms may start enforcing rules more actively.
Why should I read this?
Quick take: if you post, partner with or depend on influencer marketing in gambling, this is a wake-up call. Big money offers are tempting but rules (and penalties) are catching up — and 2026 will change everything. Read it to avoid a costly mistake.
Source
Source: https://igamingexpert.com/news/affiliates/new-zealand-influencers-defy-ad-laws/
