Australia

Record fine for wagering company Betr over gambling advertisements

Published

3 years ago

April 14, 2023

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Sports wagering company Betr has been fined $210,000 by Liquor & Gaming NSW for breaches of NSW’s wagering laws in its promotional material during its launch last year.

Betr offered 100-1 and 20-1 odds on major events including the Melbourne Cup, Cox Plate and NRL and AFL markets as part of its launch in October 2022. The odds were advertised in newspapers, on radio and television, and online.

Liquor & Gaming NSW reached the view that these advertisements breached NSW laws prohibiting the advertisement of any offer of an inducement to participate in a gambling activity, including an inducement to open a betting account or bet more frequently.

As a result, the regulator has issued 14 penalty infringement notices totalling $210,000 which Betr has elected to pay. The $210,000 in penalties represents the largest ever fine issued to a wagering operator for offering inducements in NSW.

Liquor & Gaming NSW Executive Director Regulatory Operations & Enforcement, Jane Lin, said Betr was issued with a significant fine due to the regulator’s concerns that the conduct constituted significant breaches of the law.

“This company tried to attract a new customer base and establish a significant market share with promotions that we consider crossed the line, using inducements that had the potential to cause harm to the community,” Ms Lin said.

“In many cases, such promotions can only be legally offered to betting account holders who, unlike the general public, have made a conscious decision to open an account and receive this information.

“Wagering operators can legally advertise their products in a variety of ways but they can’t advertise or promote inducements such as offers of enhanced odds or bonus bets to entice people to open a betting account.”

Betr voluntarily ceased the advertising campaign when contacted by Liquor & Gaming NSW. By Betr paying the penalty notices, the matter has now been finalised without a court process.

It comes as wagering company SportChamps has been convicted of posting illegal gambling advertisements on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and its website, as a result of an investigation by Liquor & Gaming NSW.

In Downing Centre Local Court on Monday 27 March 2023, the company was fined $40,000 and ordered to pay $14,000 in costs for breaching NSW gaming laws. This is the third time SportChamps has been prosecuted, following a $2000 fine in 2018 and a $2500 fine in 2019.

The prosecution related to advertisements via the sportschamps.com.au website and social media that offered cash prizes for games requiring membership, special odds and bonus cash prizes, free bets and a ‘refer a friend’ promotion.

“Gambling operators like SportChamps that try to get around these restrictions are acting unlawfully and increase the risks of gambling harms,” Ms Lin said.

“Offering free bets on Facebook and Instagram, including a refer a friend promotion, shows a complete disregard for the rules and the well-being of those in our community who didn’t consent to receive gambling advertising.”

“Liquor & Gaming NSW has a zero-tolerance approach to the publication of illegal gambling inducements and we will continue to proactively monitor television, radio, print and online gambling advertising to ensure all providers are complying with the restrictions in the Betting and Racing Act 1998,” Ms Lin said.

A court may impose a maximum penalty of $110,000 (per offence) for a corporation and $11,000 for an individual who publishes a prohibited gambling advertisement, while each penalty notices carries a fine of $15,000 .

ACMA

ACMA Releases 2025–26 Work Program

Published

2 days ago

October 24, 2025

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: < 1 minute

The ACMA has released its 2025–26 annual work program, outlining the key priorities and deliverables for this financial year.

The comprehensive agenda of activities reflects the ACMA’s commitment to supporting an efficient and reliable communications infrastructure and building consumer trust in the use of communications content and services.

By delivering on the priorities set out in the program, the ACMA will bolster consumer protection frameworks, foster industry innovation and investment, and support productivity and growth.

The program contains milestones and timelines for a range of ACMA priority work including but not limited to:

• Compliance with Triple Zero and Public Safety Requirements

• Enforcing new rules to support telco consumers affected by domestic and family violence

• Combating mobile number fraud

• Delivery of the SMS Sender ID Register

• Enhancing telco consumer protections

• Disrupting illegal offshore wagering providers

• Compliance with and promotion of BetStop the National Self-Exclusion Register

• Supporting access to Free to Air TV through the TV prominence framework

• Major spectrum planning and allocations.

The post ACMA Releases 2025–26 Work Program appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Australia

Western Australia: New Casino Carded Play Set to Reduce Gambling Harm

Published

3 days ago

October 23, 2025

Niji Narayan

western-australia:-new-casino-carded-play-set-to-reduce-gambling-harm

Reading Time: < 1 minute

The rollout of mandatory carded play at the casino marks the delivery of a major recommendation from the Perth Casino Royal Commission.

From 1 December, all patrons using electronic gaming machines at the Crown Perth Casino will need to use a personalised membership card that sets time and loss limits.

The card, which will be linked to each player’s account, will cap play at 12 hours a day and 28 hours a week, and include mandatory breaks every three hours.

Players can adjust their own limits within these caps but any increase to limits will take effect only after a seven-day cooling-off period. Requests to decrease loss limits are applied immediately.

Existing members will need to update their cards, while new players can sign up, taking a photo and setting their limits with the help of casino staff.

The system provides on-screen tracking and monthly activity statements to help players monitor their spending. It also allows the casino to identify risky behaviour and offer support when needed.

The introduction of carded play represents a major step towards reducing the risk of gambling harm at the casino.

The post Western Australia: New Casino Carded Play Set to Reduce Gambling Harm appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Australia

NSW Government: Play your part this GambleAware Week

Published

4 days ago

October 22, 2025

George Miller

nsw-government:-play-your-part-this-gambleaware-week

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The NSW Government is encouraging the community to help spread the message this GambleAware Week, that with gambling, there’s more to lose than money; it can also affect health, relationships and wellbeing.

Running from today, 20 October to 26 October, this year’s campaign is also focussing on promoting the range of free and confidential support available to those struggling with gambling harm.

In addition, the NSW Government is continuing its campaign to reduce the amount of sports betting advertising with its Reclaim the Game initiative, delivered in partnership with 19 NSW sporting clubs from six codes: the A-League, AFL, Cricket, the National Basketball League, Netball and the National Rugby League.

This includes the Sydney Kings and the Illawarra Hawks men’s basketball teams along with the Sydney Flames women’s basketball team. All three teams have just signed up for a further two seasons.

Sports betting is most common among young people aged 18-24 years. A 2024 NSW Gambling Survey found sports and race betting responsible for 16.5% of gambling harm.

Reclaim the Game aims to counteract the saturation of sports betting advertising and help people understand their choices and decisions about gambling, encouraging them to take action to prevent and reduce gambling harm by seeking support when they need it.

In 2025-26, the NSW Government has committed $20.7 million from the Responsible Gambling Fund for gambling support services, up from $19.19 million the previous year.

The government has implemented a suite of measures to reduce gambling harm, including:

Committing $100 million to harm minimisation – investing in research, treatment, services and reform,
Banning gambling advertising on public transport, and the terminals people catch it from,
Banning all external gambling signage in licensed premises and introducing Responsible Gambling Officers for venues with more than 20 gaming machine entitlements, and
Banning political donations from clubs with electronic gaming machines.

Reclaim the Game is an initiative of the NSW Office of Responsible Gambling, which also manages the statewide gambling support service GambleAware.

Information about GambleAware Week activities, Reclaim the Game, plus resources and support information are available at www.gambleaware.nsw.gov.au

Call the 24-hour GambleAware Helpline on 1800 858 858 for free and confidential support. In-language support is also available for those from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:

“The NSW Government is committed to reducing gambling harm which not only impacts individuals, but also their loved ones and the broader community.

“I’m pleased to announce the NSW Government has extended the Reclaim the Game partnerships with the Sydney Kings, Sydney Flames and Illawarra Hawks. These partnerships have helped us spread this important message through reclaiming advertising space and enlisting clubs to engage with fans and the community on responsible gambling.

“Everyone has a role to play in keeping our communities safe, informed and supported. With gambling, there’s more to lose than money. You could be risking your family home, that dream holiday, your health or your relationships.

“This GambleAware Week, start a conversation with those who matter most about what gambling’s really costing. If you or someone you care about is struggling, support is available.”

Sydney Kings and Flames Chief Commercial Officer Amanda Farag said: “The Sydney Kings and Flames have been proud long-term partners of Reclaim the Game, and we are excited to renew this partnership. We wish basketball to remain a family-friendly environment, and we support the message of responsible gambling. We are proud of our ongoing commitment to this message”

Illawarra Hawks General Manager Commercial Aaron Anderson said: “The Illawarra Hawks are proud to continue our partnership with Reclaim the Game and stand alongside the Sydney Kings and Sydney Flames, in creating a safer, more positive sporting environment.

“By extending our partnership, we’re sending a clear message, basketball is about community, competition, and passion – not gambling. This initiative empowers fans to enjoy the game for what it truly is, while raising awareness about the support available through GambleAware.”

The post NSW Government: Play your part this GambleAware Week appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.