Betr has been hit with the largest-ever fine by Liquor & Gaming NSW after failings over its promotional material during its 2022 launch.
The regulator said the operator’s advertisements in newspapers, on radio stations, television and online - which offered 100-1 and 20-1 odds on various sporting events - breached state laws.
Liquor & Gaming NSW said the promotions on events such as the Melbourne Cup, Cox Plate and NRL and AFL markets as part of its October 2022 launch – which have cost the operator A$210,000 - promoted an incentive to open a betting account or bet more frequently.
The regulator’s fine comprises of 14 penalty infringement notices, which Betr has elected to pay.
Jane Lin, executive director regulatory operations and enforcement at Liquor & Gaming NSW, said the promotions “crossed the line” and “had the potential to cauase harm to the community.”
Lin stressed that such promotions can "in many cases" only be offered to betting account holders, who have made a “conscious decision to open an account and receive this information,” adding the regulator believes the same does not apply to the general public.
Betr voluntarily stopped its advertising campaign after the regulator raised concerns and has subsequently avoided potential court action by agreeing to the sanction.
Elsewhere, Liquor & Gaming NSW said it has convicted SportChamps of posting illegal gambling advertisements on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and its website.
The company has been fined $40,000 and ordered to pay a further $14,000 in costs for breaching NSW laws.
Liquor & Gaming NSW said the advertisements offered cash prizes for games requiring membership, special odds and bonus cash prizes, free bets and a ‘refer a friend’ promotion.
Lin said the advertisements showed a “complete disregard for the rules.”
