Newly-formed trade association Responsible Wagering Australia is making sure that its presence is felt in the industry by backing a push to ban advertisements that promote “free” and “bonus” bets in the country.
Launched barely two weeks ago, RWA is a new body espousing a code of conduct that includes responsible gambling and harm-minimization protocols. The group, whose founding members include Bet365, Betfair, CrownBet, Sportsbet and Unibet, said it will support government initiatives to reduce the potential “adverse influence” of gambling.
And it appears that RWA is making good on its promise.
RWA executive director Stephen Conroy was quoted by The Sunday Mail saying the group will support a “stronger regulation” around gambling advertising. Currently, every other state in Australia has a regulation around the issue of inducement advertising, but Conroy believes a “national approach” is needed.
“A national ban is in the long-term interests of consumers, operators and regulators, and would further strengthen harm-minimization efforts in the sector,” the former Labor party senator said, according to the news outlet. “A ban that applies right across Australia is the only way to ensure that an appropriate level of consumer protection is offered, regardless of where an individual lives.”
Recently, a Sydney court found betting operator Tabcorp guilty of three counts of illegally luring punters to open accounts. The promotion in question was published in a newspaper and online in August 2015 and offered bonus bets as well as other rewards as inducements.
Government outlaws bookmakers to publish ads tempting residents in New South Wales with enticements to gamble or open betting accounts.
In Queensland, Tatts Group has already written to Attorney General Yvette D’Ath, asking her to “stamp out advertisements promoting inducement bets,” which as forbidden under Practice 6.10 of the Queensland Responsible Gambling Code of Practice.
Regulating free bet promotions on a national level is certainly one way to cull out the so-called inducement advertising. Or Australia could opt to take a page from the UK government’s book and require operators to pay 15% tax on their free or discounted online bet offers.
