BlueBet hit with A$50,000 fine in Victoria over advertising breaches
ASX-listed operator found guilty of 43 breaches of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 over out-of-home advertising on major roads in the state
BlueBet has been fined A$50,000 (£26,000) by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission’s (VGCCC) over out-of-home advertising breaches.
The state regulator ruled that BlueBet had displayed a gambling ad on or above a public road 43 times, representing multiple contraventions against the Gambling Regulation Act 2003.
The investigation into the operator was launched after the VGCCC received a complaint from the member of the public.
The VGCCC established that over two weeks during August and September 2022, BlueBet advertising appeared on five digital billboards across three major traffic routes.
The investigation concluded 12 months later, with the VGCCC charging BlueBet in August 2023.
The A$50,000 penalty was determined by Victoria magistrate Greg Thomas, with the penalty having dropped from the original figure of A$70,000.
Thomas said BlueBet’s guilty plea, cooperation with the regulator and subsequent changes the operator made to prevent the breaches occurring again were considered as mitigating factors.
However, as part of the ruling, Thomas did state it was “difficult” to accept BlueBet’s claim for defence that it was unaware it was breaching the law, given the “prime position” of the advertising billboards.
Additionally, while Thomas did not hand down an official conviction against the operator, he did stress that if the breaches were indeed accidental, it demonstrated a “high degree of negligence” by BlueBet.
Annette Kimmitt, VGCCC CEO, said: “Gambling advertising has no place on public roads where it is readily visible to children and other vulnerable groups.
“These places are especially difficult to avoid as part of day-to-day activities. This decision sends a clear message to wagering providers that flout these protections for our community,” she added.
Last week, BlueBet confirmed its merger with fellow Australian operator Betr as well as a capital raise of A$20m to fund transaction costs and achieve synergies.