New Zealand’s national football league has reportedly become a major focus for offshore betting markets. Notably, over NZ$212 million ($124.21 million) was wagered on the men’s domestic competition in 2024 through international betting platforms, most of them based in Asia.
Figures obtained by RNZ have sparked alarm among sports integrity experts, who warn that the trend dramatically increases the risk of match-fixing and betting-related corruption. According to data, between NZ$500,000 and NZ$1.4 million was staked on each match during the 2024 season, despite the league being classified as an amateur competition.
Andrew Scott-Howman, general counsel for the New Zealand Professional Footballers Association (NZPFA), said it was not unusual to see $1 million wagered on a single National League game via overseas bookmakers. “The numbers are staggering,” Scott-Howman was quoted as saying. “That means the stakes are higher in every regard, because the risk of bad actors targeting our competitions increases significantly.”
Time zone advantage and risk of microbets
Experts say several factors make the National League vulnerable to manipulation. New Zealand’s unique time zone means its matches often take place during a global lull in football fixtures. “For two hours every Saturday we are the only country in the world providing live product to the Asian gambling market,” Scott-Howman explained.
The risks are compounded by the availability of over 200 betting markets per match, covering not just scores but also throw-ins, yellow cards, and even the first touch of the ball. These so-called microbets create easy opportunities for spot-fixing.
Link to Australian betting scandals
Concerns in New Zealand come amid high-profile betting scandals in Australia’s A-League. Former All White Clayton Lewis will be sentenced this week for his role in a yellow-card manipulation scheme while playing for Macarthur FC in Sydney. Lewis, battling gambling addiction, pleaded guilty to spot-fixing in a major Australian sports corruption case.
The NZPFA has warned that the same threats are now growing in New Zealand football, with players being targeted via social media or approached by individuals posing as Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) agents offering fake trials.
NZ football and integrity response
NZ Football confirmed it has received two reports of concern related to potential competition manipulation this season, though it stressed no suspicious matches have been detected. In a statement, NZ Football said integrity training is mandatory for all players, coaches and officials, and that it works with both the TAB and international agencies to monitor betting patterns.
However, the body declined to release detailed wagering figures from previous years, with media manager Tris Cotterill noting only that overseas betting activity was “popular” given New Zealand’s time zone. Global data monitoring firm Sportradar confirmed it has never detected suspicious activity in domestic New Zealand competitions.
FIFA+ streaming a double-edged sword
Since partnering with FIFA+ in 2023, NZ Football has been live-streaming all men’s and women’s national league games to international audiences. While this is designed to boost visibility for Kiwi fans, the move has also expanded the competitions’ exposure to offshore betting markets.
Scott-Howman described this as a “double-edged sword,” noting that overseas punters can now watch matches live while placing bets in real time.
Integrity experts warn of underreporting
Rebecca Rolls, chief executive of the Sport Integrity Commission, said her agency received 13 reports of potential competition manipulation across New Zealand sport in its first year of operation, but she warned that cases were “likely severely underreported.”
“The amount of money being wagered offshore is hugely concerning,” Rolls said. “New Zealanders need to understand the risks — just because we haven’t seen major scandals here yet, doesn’t mean it’s not happening.”
Outside football, sports such as basketball, badminton, tennis and table tennis are also attracting heavy offshore betting activity, she added. As betting turnover continues to rise, experts warn that safeguarding New Zealand’s amateur athletes and competitions will become an increasingly challenging task.
NZ’s Online Casino Gambling Bill
In separate development, the New Zealand government’s proposed Online Casino Gambling Bill received opposition from over 50 sports organisations. They argue that the legislation may reduce funding available for local sports programmes. The central issue is whether online gambling can be regulated without affecting financial support for regional sporting activities.
The Online Casino Gambling Bill, introduced in July by Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden, proposes allowing up to 15 offshore online casino operators to apply for licences in New Zealand. Supporters of the bill state that it aims to regulate the currently unregulated online gambling market, implement consumer protection measures, and generate tax revenue. As part of the proposal, NZD 81 million ($47.47 million) has been allocated for gambling harm prevention initiatives, according to The New Zealand Herald.
