13 Feb 2026
High profile cricketer used in betting ads targeting students
There are growing concerns that sports betting companies are targeting young adults and university students through social media ads, and video content disguised as fun and games. Auckland University students' association says students are using their rent money and their student allowance on betting, some of them saying they're enticed by content and ads from betting companies like TAB and its online platform - Betcha NZ. Betting companies are also using influencers and sporting personalities in their content - including a high-profile New Zealand cricketer. Lucy Xia reports.