Topbetta becomes latest company to be fined for NSW breaches
Sports betting company Topbetta has been fined more than Aus$15,000 (€9,900/$10,900) for publishing advertising that offered New South Wales (NSW) residents inducements to participate in gambling.
Topbetta, which is based in the Australian state and licensed by the Norfolk Island Gaming Authority, was convicted on three counts of publishing gambling advertising on its website between October 2014 and May 2015 that promoted ‘No Lose Saturday’.
A court found that the promotions, which offered a refund on any losing bet up to a maximum of $100 for all wagers placed on certain horse racing events, could be accessed by NSW residents and therefore breached the state’s Betting and Racing Regulation 2012. The regulation prohibits licensed wagering operators from offering inducements to participate in gambling activity or open a betting account.
After the state’s Department of Justice (Liquor & Gaming) pressed charges, Topbetta pleaded guilty to three counts of breaching laws and was convicted and fined a total of $4,950 and ordered to pay professional costs of $11,000.
Anthony Keon, Liquor & Gaming NSW director of compliance & enforcement, said: “These measures are in place in NSW to protect people from potential problem gambling.
“Advertising inducements can lure people into gambling including those who may not be in a position to afford it or those who are susceptible to problem gambling.
“Wagering operators that offer inducements to gamble to NSW residents will face regulatory action.”
The prosecution of Topbetta follows other recent Liquor & Gaming NSW convictions of other sports betting companies, such as Unibet, Bet365, Ladbrokes, Sportsbetting.com.au and ClassicBet.
Related article: Bet365, Unibet fined over NSW inducements