Australian online wagering firm Betchoice, which trades as Unibet, has been fined AU$60,000 (US$39,660) plus costs after being found guilty of offering illegal gambling inducements to NSW residents.
According to Liquor & Gaming NSW, the penalty was imposed by a Sydney court on 22 May following an investigation into Unibet promotions. The investigation found that the promotions contained inducements to participate in gambling activity and open a betting account in the form of “price push” or boosted odds offers.
Under the NSW Betting and Racing Act, it is an offence to publish a gambling advertisement that “includes any inducement to participate, or participate frequently, in any gambling activity, including an inducement to open a betting account.
“Betting operators have an obligation to ensure that all advertising complies with NSW laws on gambling advertising,” said Liquor & Gaming NSW Executive Director Regulatory Operations & Enforcement, Jane Lin.
“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 AU$48,000 (US$31,730) in July 2021 for breaches of betting legislation. The advertisements [in] 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.”