New Zealand’s state-run lottery operator, Lotto NZ, has been unable to prevent a Malta-based gambling business from offering an apparent replica of its flagship game, Lotto Powerball.
TheLotter, an online gambling company headquartered in Malta, currently operates “NZPowerLuck”, a product that mimics Lotto NZ’s Powerball in gameplay, prize structure, and draw schedule. The game, accessible to global players outside of New Zealand, draws on the same Wednesday and Saturday results and has even claimed winners, including a Russian player said to have won NZD226,101 (USD137,000).
Malta, which has grown into a major online gambling hub, derives 16 percent of its GDP from the iGaming industry and is home to over 24,000 gambling-related employees – a significant portion of the country’s population of approximately 553,000.
Despite the similarities between the two products, Lotto NZ has admitted it is largely powerless to act. Will Hine, head of corporate communications at Lotto NZ, acknowledged TheLotter as one of many so-called “commercial syndicates” that either resell physical tickets or offer derivatives of official national lotteries.
Lotto NZ’s terms and conditions prohibit the sale of tickets to non-New Zealand residents. Any tickets acquired overseas or resold become ineligible for prizes. The agency has previously taken steps to block foreign purchases and engaged the Department of Internal Affairs over its concerns about syndicates exploiting the system.
TheLotter, which geoblocks access to New Zealand-based IP addresses, continues to promote its “NZPowerLuck” game internationally. A spokesperson for the company said interest in the New Zealand-themed product spikes during large jackpot periods. The firm offers access to more than 45 official lotteries globally, along with several games modeled after national lotteries.
A recent report by The Herald revealed that Lotto NZ had successfully blocked a separate international gambling group from purchasing tickets for major Lotto Powerball draws, citing concerns over compliance and fairness. However, attempts by offshore entities to acquire tickets or launch parallel offerings continue, often skirting the edges of legality and regulatory enforcement.
While Lotto NZ remains vigilant, the jurisdictional complexities of cross-border online lottery sales continue to pose a challenge, especially as Malta-licensed entities find ways to operate in regulatory gray zones without facing direct repercussions.
