Betr slapped with record A$210,000 fine over advertising breaches
Liquor & Gaming NSW clamps down on promotion campaign following operator’s debut in Australia last October
Betr has been handed a record A$210,000 (£167,880) fine by Liquor & Gaming NSW for breaching marketing regulations in New South Wales.
The fine comes after the challenger operator 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.
These odds were advertised across newspapers, online and on radio and television.
However, Liquor & Gaming NSW said these ads breached regulations, ascertaining they were an inducement to participate in gambling activity, including to open an account or bet more frequently.
As a result, the regulator handed out 14 penalty notices totalling $A210,000, which Betr has agreed to pay.
Betr voluntarily ceased the advertising campaign when approached by the regulator, and with the operator agreeing to pay the penalty, the matter has been closed without the need for court proceedings.
Jane Lin, Liquor & Gaming NSW executive director of regulatory operations and enforcement, said: “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.
“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,” she added.
Elsewhere, SportChamps found itself in the regulator’s crosshairs and was hit with a A$40,000 fine over illegal advertising on social media.
The operator posted ads on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and its own website that offered cash prizes for games requiring membership, special odds, free bets and a ‘refer a friend’ promotion.
As well as the fine, the firm was ordered to pay A$14,000 in costs as a result.
SportChamps was previously given a A$2,000 fine in 2018 and a A$2,500 fine the following year.