The NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming & Racing has issued a warning to sportsbetting companies, following two recent convictions for breaches of the State’s regulations on inducements.
OLGR reports the Penrith-based ClassicBet P/L and Northern Territory-based Sportsbetting P/L were convicted and fined over website advertisements that offered betting incentives that were accessible to NSW residents.
Under the NSW Racing Administration Regulation 2012, licensed wagering operators are prohibited from publishing advertising that offers NSW residents credit, vouchers or rewards as an inducement to participate in gambling or open a betting account.
Classicbet published a website advertisement accessible to NSW residents for a ‘Premium Rewards Program’ that rewarded punters on every bet, “regardless whether you win or lose”. The company was convicted of illegal gambling advertising, fined $1,000 and ordered to pay $4,500 in legal costs.
Sportsbetting P/L published two advertisements on its website offering bonuses of 100 and 200 per cent to new clients depositing funds into betting accounts. It was fined $1,650 and ordered to pay legal costs of $1,800.
OLGR Acting Director of Compliance & Enforcement Sean Goodchild stresses licensed wagering operators need to ensure NSW residents are excluded from such offers.
“The wagering industry is warned they are being monitored – including social media and company websites – and if material is found to offer illegal gambling inducements to NSW residents then action will be taken.
“Further prosecutions are currently pending against several other wagering operators.”