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Australia

Record fine for wagering company Betr over gambling advertisements

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Sports wagering company Betr has been fined $210,000 by Liquor & Gaming NSW for breaches of NSW’s wagering laws in its promotional material during its launch last year.

Betr 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. The odds were advertised in newspapers, on radio and television, and online.

Liquor & Gaming NSW reached the view that these advertisements breached NSW laws prohibiting the advertisement of any offer of an inducement to participate in a gambling activity, including an inducement to open a betting account or bet more frequently.

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As a result, the regulator has issued 14 penalty infringement notices totalling $210,000 which Betr has elected to pay. The $210,000 in penalties represents the largest ever fine issued to a wagering operator for offering inducements in NSW.

Liquor & Gaming NSW Executive Director Regulatory Operations & Enforcement, Jane Lin, said Betr was issued with a significant fine due to the regulator’s concerns that the conduct constituted significant breaches of the law.

“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,” Ms Lin said.

“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.”

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Betr voluntarily ceased the advertising campaign when contacted by Liquor & Gaming NSW. By Betr paying the penalty notices, the matter has now been finalised without a court process.

It comes as wagering company SportChamps has been convicted of posting illegal gambling advertisements on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and its website, as a result of an investigation by Liquor & Gaming NSW.

In Downing Centre Local Court on Monday 27 March 2023, the company was fined $40,000 and ordered to pay $14,000 in costs for breaching NSW gaming laws. This is the third time SportChamps has been prosecuted, following a $2000 fine in 2018 and a $2500 fine in 2019.

The prosecution related to advertisements via the sportschamps.com.au website and social media that offered cash prizes for games requiring membership, special odds and bonus cash prizes, free bets and a ‘refer a friend’ promotion.

“Gambling operators like SportChamps that try to get around these restrictions are acting unlawfully and increase the risks of gambling harms,” Ms Lin said.

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“Offering free bets on Facebook and Instagram, including a refer a friend promotion, shows a complete disregard for the rules and the well-being of those in our community who didn’t consent to receive gambling advertising.”

“Liquor & Gaming NSW has a zero-tolerance approach to the publication of illegal gambling inducements and we will continue to proactively monitor television, radio, print and online gambling advertising to ensure all providers are complying with the restrictions in the Betting and Racing Act 1998,” Ms Lin said.

A court may impose a maximum penalty of $110,000 (per offence) for a corporation and $11,000 for an individual who publishes a prohibited gambling advertisement, while each penalty notices carries a fine of $15,000 .

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Australia

Hotel licensee fined for forcing patrons to exit through gaming room

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Requiring patrons to walk through a gaming room to leave a south Sydney hotel has seen its licensee prosecuted, convicted, and fined.

Mortdale Hotel licensee Paul Whitehead pleaded guilty to breaching the Gaming Machines Act 2001 in Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday 18 June, following an investigation by Liquor & Gaming NSW.

Liquor & Gaming NSW inspectors conducting compliance checks at the hotel on 18 August 2023 found the main bar’s exit door was locked and the only way to leave the hotel was through the gaming room.

Gaming legislation requires that patrons must not be compelled to pass through a gaming room in order to enter or leave a venue, or to gain access to another area.

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Liquor & Gaming NSW Executive Director Regulatory Operations Jane Lin said it was a serious breach of the state’s gaming laws.

“These restrictions are in place to reduce the risks of gambling harm,” Ms Lin said.

“Apart from breaking the law, the licensee put patrons at potential risk of harm by compelling them to walk through the gaming room to leave the venue.

“As this case shows, licensees who fail to abide by gaming machine regulations can expect to be caught and prosecuted.”

The post Hotel licensee fined for forcing patrons to exit through gaming room appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Tabcorp Appoints Gillon McLachlan as MD & CEO

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Australian gambling services firm Tabcorp Holdings has appointed former Australian Football League (AFL) boss Gillon McLachlan as its chief executive and managing director.

The appointment comes months after former chief Adam Rytenskild resigned over allegedly using “offensive” and “inappropriate” language at the workplace and as the firm navigates a strategic transformation amid heightened competition pressures.

McLachlan was the AFL chief executive for a decade during which he contributed to significant revenue growth and oversaw its expansion.

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He will join Tabcorp on Aug. 5 and assume the roles of CEO and MD upon receiving regulatory approvals, the company said. He will receive an annual fixed remuneration of AU$ 1.5 million.

“In the two years since demerger, we have significantly improved our customer offering and delivered key structural reforms in Queensland and Victoria,” Tabcorp Executive Chairman Bruce Akhurst said.

“Gill brings an added dimension of having been responsible for some of the most significant media rights deals in Australian sports history and we’re excited about the potential growth opportunities for our wagering and media business under his leadership,” Bruce Akhurst added.

The post Tabcorp Appoints Gillon McLachlan as MD & CEO appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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BetMakers Appoints Carl Henschke as its New Chief Financial Officer

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BetMakers Technology Group Ltd, the leading global B2B provider of technologies and services that simplify betting at critical points in wagering, announced the appointment of Mr Carl Henschke as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective 1 July 2024.

Mr Henschke brings over 17 years of experience in financial services, capital markets and legal sectors to BetMakers. He began his career as a solicitor in the corporate team at Herbert Smith Freehills, and for the past decade, he has worked as an investment banker. Most recently he served as Managing Director at Canaccord Genuity, focusing on software and digital businesses, including those in the wagering and betting sector. Mr Henschke’s expertise encompasses financial planning and analysis, strategy, capital management and M&A.

BetMakers CEO Jake Henson said: “We are delighted to welcome Carl as the company’s new CFO. His extensive financial expertise and deep understanding of high growth technology companies make him an ideal fit for BetMakers. Carl’s experience will be important as we continue to refine our operational efficiencies, expand our global presence, and enhance shareholder value.”

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The post BetMakers Appoints Carl Henschke as its New Chief Financial Officer appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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