Liquor & Gaming NSW (LGNSW) has announced that it has fined the bookmaker Betr a total of US$142,500 for breaching state gaming advertising laws during its initial launch back in October of last year.
At the time, Betr took out online, TV and radio ads promoting bets with odds ranging from 20-1 to 100-1 for various Australian-based sporting events such as the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup horse races.
According to a statement issued by LGNSW, these ads breached state law prohibiting any gambling-related inducements, especially those related to opening a new betting account. In all, the agency issued a total of 14 infringement notices, and the $142,500 fine is the largest ever for offering inducements.
“This company tried to attract a new customer base and establish a significant market share with promotions that we consider crossed the line, using inducements that had the potential to cause harm to the community,” Jane Lin, executive director of regulatory operations and enforcement for LGNSW, said in a statement.
“Wagering operators can legally advertise their products in a variety of ways but they can’t advertise or promote inducements such as offers of enhanced odds or bonus bets to entice people to open a betting account,” Lin added.
In related news, fellow bookmaker SportChamps received its own fine from LGNSW, a total of $36,600 for its own advertising-related violations. The fine itself accounted for $27,100 whereas the additional $9,500 was allotted for costs.
“Offering free bets on Facebook and Instagram, including a refer a friend promotion, shows a complete disregard for the rules and the well-being of those in our community who didn’t consent to receive gambling advertising,” Lin said of SportChamps in a statement.
“Liquor & Gaming NSW has a zero-tolerance approach to the publication of illegal gambling inducements and we will continue to proactively monitor television, radio, print and online gambling advertising to ensure all providers are complying with the restrictions in the Betting and Racing Act 1998,” she concluded.
