MintBet slapped with A$100,000 fine after responsible gambling breaches
Bookmaker punished by Australian regulator after “inadequate” handling of player who placed 327 bets and lost thousands in 35 hours
MintBet has been hit with an A$100,000 (£51,785) fine from the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) after multiple breaches of the Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct.
The penalty came after a MintBet customer placed 327 bets and lost A$31,149 before the sports betting operator stopped accepting wagers.
The commission found that MintBet’s responsible gambling systems were “inadequate” and amounted to a breach of the state of Victoria’s Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct.
The VGCCC added that the operator did not stop the user in question from playing despite showing signs of distress, relating to problem gambling, during their 35-hour betting period over the course of 50 hours.
MintBet closed the player’s account only when the individual “actively identified” they were experiencing gambling harm.
Commenting on the punishment, VGCCC deputy CEO Scott May reiterated the need for operators to step in when players are showing signs of distress.
“Victorian gambling providers must comply with their responsible gambling codes of conduct. They exist to protect people from gambling harm,” he said.
“Even if accepting bets online, providers must monitor for and intervene when customers are displaying indicators of distress. Gambling for an extended period is a key indicator of distress that may indicate problem gambling.
“There are serious consequences for any gambling provider that fails to comply with their own responsible gambling code of conduct. We won’t tolerate it.”
As well as the fine, MintBet has been ordered to tell the VGCCC what improvements it will make to its responsible gambling systems and processes.
Last September, the regulator issued a record A$1m fine to Tabcorp after the firm failed to comply with two separate information requests relating to a major system outage in 2020.