# Young people demand online gambling restrictions

> Young New Zealanders pressure politicians to tighten online gambling rules.
- Title: Young people demand online gambling restrictions · RNZ
- Summary: Young New Zealanders pressure politicians to tighten online gambling rules. Young people in New Zealand urge stricter online gambling regulations after…
- Keywords: young people, online gambling, new zealand, politics, gambling restrictions, university of otago, problem gambling foundation, news, Young, people, demand, online
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/political/1685983/young-people-call-on-politicians-for-more-online-gambling-restrictions
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-10-02T05:27:21+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: young people, online gambling, new zealand, politics, gambling restrictions, university of otago, problem gambling foundation, news
## Young people call for gambling restrictions
Young New Zealanders demand stricter online gambling rules after witnessing peers lose student loans to gambling.

> Just putting the big spin-wheel up on the projector, and something called feast or famine.
## University of Otago student shares impact
Faith Tupuhi, a University of Otago student, says online gambling has led some to gamble their weekly student loans.

> One of the guys ended up trying to win back all his money [because] he lost all of the rent money.
## Laga Jensen describes gambling normalisation
Laga Jensen, a University of Otago student, says gambling has become normal in Dunedin for young people.

> It's just how normal it seemed, in the library, pre-drinks, afters, at full on street parties.
## Election candidates face questions
Young people questioned election candidates at a Greenlane community hall meeting about online gambling restrictions.

> Young people put their questions to The Green's Party's Ricardo Menéndez March, New Zealand First's Sheldon Eden-Whaitiri and National's Greg Fleming.
## Candidates agree on advertising restrictions
All candidates agreed that online gambling ads should not target people under 18 years old.

> New Zealand First is very pragmatic that gambling does exist, but it shouldn't be targeting kids and children.
## Problem Gambling Foundation urges stronger rules
The Problem Gambling Foundation says advertising is the key issue for young people exposed to gambling.

> I think the advertising's the key, it's so visible, it's in young people's pockets, it's in their phones, it's on their desktops.
## Young people want gambling in gaming regulated
Young people want gambling restrictions to extend to online gaming features like loot boxes.

> We were finding 13, 16 and 9-year-olds all hopping on Roblox and on other online gaming apps, or using their older siblings.
## Gambling harm affects young people
44% of young people aged 15-24 participated in gambling in the past year, with Māori, Pacific and Asian communities disproportionately affected.

> 26,000 young people are classified as moderate-to-high-risk gamblers.
## Key takeaway

Young people in New Zealand urge stricter online gambling regulations after seeing peers lose student loans to gambling.