Unibet issued illegal advertising fines

Betchoice, trading as Unibet, has been issued a fine of AU$60,000 plus costs for “offering illegal gambling inducements.”

The company was found to be in breach of NSW gambling laws and was convicted in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on May 22.

It is an offense, under the NSW Betting and Racing Act, to publish any advert which “includes any inducement to participate, or participate frequently, in any gambling activity (including an inducement to open a betting account).”

Liquor and Gaming NSW ran in investigation into Unibet promotions and, according to executive director regulatory operations and enforcement, Jane Lin, found that they breached the rules.

“Betting operators have an obligation to ensure that all advertising complies with NSW laws on gambling advertising,” Lin said.

“Inducements are known to increase the risk of gambling harm, so any breaches are taken seriously.

“Betchoice has a record of previous convictions and was fined $48,000 in July 2021 for breaches of betting legislation. The advertisements the subject of this most recent case were designed to entice people to engage with gambling products using special or enhanced odds, which is a breach of the legislation.”