Unibet fined $60,000 for illegal advertising
Unibet has been ordered to pay $60,000 in fines by the Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney earlier this week for illegal advertising.
The Court found Unibet, also known as Betchoice, breached NSW gambling laws by offering illegal gambling inducements to NSW residents, following an investigation by Liquor & Gaming NSW.
Unibet cops a fine
Liquor & Gaming NSW found Unibet’s promotions contained inducements to participate in gambling activity and open a betting account in the form of ‘price push’ offers, a form of boosted or special odds.
The NSW Betting and Racing Act states that publishing a gambling advertisement that “includes any inducement to participate, or participate frequently, in any gambling activity is an offence”.
Liquor & Gaming NSW executive director for regulatory operations and enforcement Jane Lin said the Unibet promotions had clearly offered inducements to gamble or to open a betting account.
“Betting operators have an obligation to ensure that all advertising complies with NSW laws on gambling advertising,” Lin said.
“Inducements are known to increase the risk of gambling harm, so any breaches are taken seriously.”
“Betchoice has a record of previous convictions and was fined $48,000 in July 2021 for breaches of betting legislation. The advertisements the subject of this most recent case were designed to entice people to engage with gambling products using special or enhanced odds, which is a breach of the legislation.”
Unibet pleaded guilty to two offences under section 33H(1) of the Betting and Racing Act 1998 and was fined $30,000 per offence, as well as being ordered to pay the regulator’s costs.
Roll up! Roll up! Betting companies who wish to break the code of conduct, pay a small fine and off you go! Just ask PWC!
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What a piddling fine for breaking the rules in an industry that does such damage to those who bet.
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