New Zealand Influencers Refuse to Promote Casinos: Investigation Ongoing
The New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) is conducting an investigation into two media influencers who refused to stop promoting offshore operators despite official warnings.
Why Influencers Are Rejecting Gambling Promotions
Three popular New Zealand influencers — Te Rawitiroa Bosch, Paaka Davis, and Makaya Carr — have taken a stand against promoting offshore online casinos.
Te Rawitiroa Bosch, who has 119,000 followers on TikTok, turned down offers citing the principle that “mana is more important than money.” He explains: “When someone messages me offering to promote online gambling, I say: ‘no way’ and post it on my platforms.”
Paaka Davis (466,000 followers on TikTok) rejected a $5000 offer for a single post, explaining: “I don’t want kids picking up bad habits — gambling or alcohol — because of what they see in my content.”
The Scale of the Problem and Government Action
In April, the Department of Internal Affairs received 50 complaints about gambling promotions on social media. This led to:
- 8 influencers receiving official warnings
- 13 accounts being added to a watchlist
Two weeks later:
- The number of warning letters increased to 8
- The watchlist grew to 26 accounts
Penalties and Next Steps
Unlicensed promotion of online casinos in New Zealand breaches the Gambling Act. The DIA has warned that non-compliance could result in fines of up to $5000 per violation.
In some cases, authorities issued formal warnings stating:
“You have breached Section 16 of the Act. If further breaches occur, a penalty notice may be issued or legal action taken.”
Who Is Violating the Ban
The DIA reports that two influencers continue to ignore the directives and have not removed offshore casino promotions.
Authorities remain in dialogue with them but emphasize that continued violations will result in penalties.
Meanwhile, other social media figures, including Bosch and Davis, are setting an example by publicly rejecting questionable contracts.
Influencers’ Positions
| Influencer | Followers | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Te Rawitiroa Bosch | 119K (TikTok), 76K (Facebook), 43K (Instagram) | Principled refusal: “mana is more important than money” |
| Paaka Davis | 466K (TikTok), 43K (Facebook), 47K (Instagram) | Turned down a $5000 post offer, doesn’t want to be a bad example for kids |
| Makaya Carr | Not specified | Supports refusal to promote gambling |
Conclusion
While most influencers have complied and removed offshore casino promotions, two remain in breach of the law. The DIA warns that unless the situation changes, fines will follow.
Meanwhile, thought leaders like Bosch and Davis show that principles matter more than profit by refusing to promote gambling for money.