Bet365, Unibet fined over NSW inducements
Bet365 and Unibet have been fined by a New South Wales court after pleading guilty to breaching gambling advertising rules.
Northern Territory-licensed Betchoice Corporation, trading as Unibet, entered pleas of guilty on January 12 to publishing gambling advertising on its website offering a credit and reward as an inducement on August 31, 2015.
The advertisements included the offer of bet refunds, with all gambling-related ‘inducements’ illegal under the Australian state’s law.
Unibet was convicted and fined Aus$7,500 (€4,780/$5,190) and ordered to pay the regulatory Office of Liquor, Gaming & Racing’s (OLGR) professional costs of Aus$5,000.
Hillside (Australia New Media) Pty Limited, trading as Bet365 and also licensed in the Northern Territory, pleaded guilty to two advertising breaches and, as well as costs of Aus$5,000, was ordered to pay Aus$5,000 in fines.
The convictions of Unibet and Bet365 follow three previous OLGR prosecutions of sports betting companies Ladbrokes, Sportsbetting.com.au and ClassicBet. Court action is still pending for a number of other licensed wagering operators.
OLGR acting director of compliance & enforcement Sean Goodchild said: “Licensed wagering operators should ensure that they do not publish gambling advertising that offers an inducement for NSW residents to participate in gambling activities.”
Related article: NSW takes aim at illegal advertising