Betting operator PointsBet has been fined A$20,000 for posting an illegal gambling advertisement in the Australian state of New South Wales that violated regulations against ads that induce people to gamble or open accounts with operators.
The penalty was handed down in Downing Centre Local Courtafter PointsBet pleaded guilty to charges.
The ad in question appeared alongside the PointsBet app in the Apple App Store. It offered “ALL 40+ METRO RACES RUN 2ND UP TO $100 BACK” if participants opened a betting account.
Under the state’s Betting and Racing Act, operators cannot publish “a gambling advertisement that offers any inducement to participate, or participate frequently, in any gambling activity (including an inducement to open a betting account).”
Liquor & Gaming NSW Director of Compliance Operations Sean Goodchild said PointsBet’s advertisement had clearly offered an inducement to gamble.
“Betting operators have an obligation to ensure that all advertising complies with NSW laws on gambling advertising,” he said. “Inducements are known to increase the risk of gambling harm so any breaches are taken seriously, which is reflected in the $20,000 fine.”
