Tab NZ operator Entain, has been accused of breaching the New Zealand Gambling Act 2003 by a gambling watchdog.
The accusation comes after an email was sent to a customer in New Zealand advertising overseas gambling last May.
According to a report by Newsroom.co.nz, the infringement happened less than a week after Minister for Racing Kieran McAnulty approved Entain to take over the operation for Tab NZ until 2048.
The offence came from an email sent by Party Casino, a subsidiary of Entain, which started with the phrase, “Hi ******, How about a fantastic sports betting offer?”
Although overseas gambling adverts are prohibited under the Gambling Act’s Section 16, the Department of Internal Affairs is still limited when addressing breaches coming from outside the country.
The Communications director for the Problem Gambling Foundation Andrée Froude, commented that it is illegal for offshore operators to advertise to New Zealand players.
Froude added that the Foundation is aware that these providers do everything they can to bypass the law.
When asked about Entain’s activities regarding advertising in New Zealand, Minister Kieran McAnulty explained that he was conscious of the Gambling Act’s requirements for harm minimisation.
McAnulty also spoke about his determination to ensure that this partnership ensures harm minimisation.
The Minister for Racing also expressed his confidence that Entain will allow Tab NZ to provide better harm minimisation measures.
McAnulty also noted that this deal will not stop the Government from creating further harm minimisation regulations.
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