SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Betchoice, an Australian betting operator which trades as Unibet, has been fined AUS$60,000 by the New South Wales (NSW) regulator.
Liquor & Gaming NSW determined that Betchoice had breached state gambling laws by including ‘inducements’ to gamble or open betting accounts via its promotional activity.
The regulator asserted that these promotions came in the form of ‘price push’ offers, a form of boosted or special odds, the use of which it had uncovered after an investigation.
Liquor & Gaming NSW Executive Director Regulatory Operations & Enforcement, Jane Lin, said: “Betting operators have an obligation to ensure that all advertising complies with NSW laws on gambling advertising. Inducements are known to increase the risk of gambling harm, so any breaches are taken seriously.”
The $60,000 fine was imposed in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on 22 May after it was determined that the operator had violated the terms of the NSW Betting and Racing Act 1998.
Under the act, it is an offence to publish a gambling advert that “includes any inducement to participate, or participate frequently, in any gambling activity (including an inducement to open a betting account)”.
Betchocie pleaded guilty to two offences and was fined $30,000 for each offence, whilst also being ordered to cover the costs of the Liquor & Gaming NSW investigation.
The company operates the Australian domain of the Unibet brand under a white label agreement with Kindred Group, the parent company of the international sportsbook.
It is not the first time Betchoice has run into regulatory problems, having been fined $48,000 in 2021 and $25,000 in 2019.
Lin concluded: “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.”
