New Zealander Wins $10 million; Internal Affairs Will Investigate the Issue

It has been announced that a New Zealander won over NZ $10 million (which is more than 7 million US dollars), after he hit the jackpot on Mega Moolah, which is one of the most popular progressive online slots in the world.  Mega Moolah seeds at $1 million and, per average, there are somewhat more than 4 jackpot wins in one calendar year. Last year this game entered the Guinness Book of Records, after a British soldier won over £13 million, which was the highest online jackpot prize ever.

However, New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs reacted quickly and they issued a statement that they’re looking into the $10 million win, claiming that it looked suspicious. It is known that the DIA decided to investigate the matter after the Problem Gambling Foundation sent a report.

 

Maori Rawiri Pou Wins a $10,144,395.82 Jackpot

Rawiri Pou is the name of the lucky winner who won $10,144,395.82 after hitting the jackpot on Mega Molaah. He first won an amount of $1,500 soon after he started playing, but he decided to keep on playing and that might be the smartest decision he ever made. The 27 year-old Rawiri Pou initially deposited $250 to his online betting account at Casinoland. Pou is Maori and he belongs to the Ngāpuhi tribe (iwi).

Pou, answering a question by the press, said the he is still struggling with the notion that he is now filthy reach and he hasn’t made any plans to stop working, at least for the time being. He also said that he couldn’t sleep out of excitement. It is known that progressive jackpots on Microgaming slots are always paid out in total, at once. The winner and his mother were taken to Auckland and they attended a press conference held by Casinoland.

 

Problem Gambling Foundation Complains on Promotion of Overseas Casino Operators

The Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand raised their concerns when they heard of Pou’s win. They claim that it is not legal to promote online casino websites that are based overseas. Bearing in mind that Rawiri Pou was playing at Casinoland, which is based in Malta, the Foundation decided that they should notify the Department of Internal Affairs.

Andree Froude from the Foundation said that online casino gaming in New Zealand is not properly regulated and that a lot of foreign operators take advantage of New Zealanders. Furthermore, Froude stated that there is no room for celebration until Pou actually sees the money in his bank account. However, there has been no indication that a full amount might not be paid out to the winner.

A representative of the Department of Internal Affairs said that even though Casinoland has not been investigated and it is not considered suspicious, there are cases of online gaming scams and that’s why they urge all players to be cautious. Last year, we announced that the Government of New Zealand will be taking strong action against foreign operators.

A representative of Casinoland stated that his company takes problem gambling seriously and advised players to gamble in moderation.