SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA) has urged gambling operators to ‘take firm steps’ in identifying and blocking punters that are engaging in the online abuse and harassment of athletes from their platforms
It follows on from a series of reports that jockeys, AFL and NRL players are facing a barrage of abuse on social media from exasperated punters.
According to Brent Jackson, RWA CEO, the behaviour will not be tolerated: “It is unacceptable that players have been the target of verbal abuse on social media by punters. Australia’s online wagering providers take a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of harassment, bullying and abusive behaviour.
“Where we can identify individuals using our betting platforms that engage in any form of aggression or threatening behaviour towards sporting identities, we will move to ban them from our platforms.
“Player safety and sporting integrity is a priority, and Responsible Wagering Australia is committed to working with Australia’s licensed sports wagering providers to address this issue with urgency. If you are responsible for acts of harassment online then we don’t want you on our platforms and you will be removed immediately.”
In addition, RWA also published its anti-social behaviour policy, reaffirming its commitment to both sporting integrity and a zero-tolerance approach to online abuse.
