Online lottery betting operator Lottoland is fighting for its right to exist against a furious assault from Australian politicians and retail lottery operators.

On Tuesday, the Herald Sun reported that federal Communications Minister Mitch Fifield had written to the government of the Northern Territory – the jurisdiction that issued an online sports betting license to Lottoland – asking for the gaming regulator to justify its decision to issue that license.

Fifield’s letter reportedly echoes criticisms traditionally leveled at Lottoland; that it misleads customers into thinking they’re participating in a traditional lottery draw, that it’s a “risky” gambling product and that it deprives state governments of revenue that traditional lotteries are required to remit for social and community causes.

Lottoland, which allows customers to place a bet on the outcome of lottery draws – not just on local lotteries but on major international draws like Powerball and EuroMillions – has proven a hit with Australian punters since the local site’s January 2016 launch, leading the betting arm of casino operator Crown Resorts to launch a similar lottery betting product.