Last week, a broadcast was made by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) declaring that nearly 750 unauthorised gambling websites have been formally barred from accepting Australian players. Highway Casino, Online Casinos Australia, and Vave were included in this list for violating the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. In addition, in February, ACMA identified six other service providers operating unlawfully within Australia.
Meanwhile, the top sports and racing betting firm in Australia, BetChoice, also known as Unibet, has received a fine of AU$60,000 ($39,660) along with further charges. This comes after the revelation that the company had been providing a range of unlawful gambling incentives and enticements to individuals residing in New South Wales.
Consequences Levied by a Sydney Court
The regulator of all gaming, betting, liquor, and registered clubs in New South Wales, Liquor & Gaming NSW, informed that the fine was imposed by a Sydney court on 22 May, following a comprehensive investigation into the promotions presented by Unibet.
The findings of the investigation revealed that the concerned promotions involved various incentives, such as booster odds and price pushes, aiming to encourage players to participate in gambling activities and create new accounts.
As laid out in the NSW Betting and Racing Act, the publication of gambling advertisements containing any inducement to participate recurrently in any form of gambling, including incentives to open new betting accounts, constitutes an offence.
Jane Lin, Liquor & Gaming NSW’s executive director of regulatory operations and enforcement, emphasised that betting operators are obliged to ensure that “all advertising aligns with NSW gambling advertisement laws”. Lin further stated that since inducements have been shown to increase the risk of gambling harm, “any infractions are treated severely”.
BetChoice Faced Fines Previously
The firm that boasts of offering “excellent odds, superior customer service, and a comprehensive array of choices for betting preferences” has been previously penalised for contravening betting guidelines.
In July 2021, the Australian operator was hit with an AU$48,000 ($31,730) fine for advertising three illicit gambling offerings, following a similar investigation carried out by Liquor & Gaming NSW. On July 15, Unibet admitted guilt for all three violations and was also required to bear the $3,900 legal fees.
Earlier, in 2019, Unibet was again handed a $15,000 fine for violating betting regulations in a similar fashion by offering advertisements intended to persuade individuals to use their gambling products.
