Australian betting company Tabcorp Holdings Limited has been fined AU$15,000 ($9,538/€9,061) for offering an inducement to gamble to people without a TAB betting account.
According to a statement issued by Liquor & Gaming New South Wales, the company was charged by the gaming regulator for placing an ad on its website encouraging non-account holders to gamble. According to local gaming regulations, this type of promotion is strictly prohibited.
Tabcorp cited an internal technological failure that resulted in the ad going live on the website, however, Liquor & Gaming NSW Executive Director Regulatory Operations, Jane Lin, said that the regulator takes a zero-tolerance approach to the publication of illegal gambling promotions and inducements.
“Tabcorp is a large corporation and it is our expectation that an operator of this scale has strong internal controls and demonstrates greater vigilance to prevent members of the public being exposed to gambling inducements.
In many cases gambling promotions can be legally offered to betting account holders who, unlike the general public, have made a conscious decision to open an account and have expressly consented to receive this information.
However, wagering operators can’t advertise or promote inducements such as offers of increased odds or bonus bets to entice people to open a betting account or to gamble more frequently.”
No details were given as to how the fine amount was decided upon. Currently, the maximum penalty for this kind of infraction is set at AU$110,000 ($6,9940/€6,6450) for a corporation and AU$11,000 ($6,994/€6,645) for individuals who offer illegal gambling inducements.
Tabcorp Facing Charges in Victoria
In September, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) announced that Tabcorp faces 54 charges, 27 of which relate to minors accessing a gambling machine area and play pokies. The operator has also been charged with failing to have sufficient supervision in place across its electronic betting terminals.
If found guilty, Tabcorp could face a maximum fine of AU$698,997 ($451,383/€422,100).
According to the latest Global Gambling Statistics, Australians have the highest gambling losses per person in the world. Each year the average gambler loses approximately AU$1870 ($1200/€1118).
Ciaran has been working within the Gambling Industry as a deep analyst since 2019. His deep knowledge and understanding of all the gambling regulations, and processes makes him a true asset, and an always valuable point of view for Gambling Industry News, allowing us to cover every topics from a brand new perspective.