UBET reprimanded for illegal ads for second time in 7 months

TASMANIAN-BASED sports betting company UBET has become the second bookmaker in as many months to be fined for offering illegal inducements to NSW punters.

UBET was fined $2000 for illegal advertising by Liqour and Gambing NSW after an investigation found that an NFL Super Bowl promotion on its website – which offered clients $25 cash back on any team that wins the Conference Final but does not win the Super Bowl – was in violation of the state’s regulations.

NSW’s Betting and Racing Regulation 2012 prohibits licensed wagering operators from publishing any advertising that offers NSW residents any incentive to participate in gambling activity including an inducement to open a betting account.

This is not the first time UBET has been sanctioned by the Liquor & Gaming NSW board.

In June 2016 the online agency became the first bookmaker to be fined for illegal advertising to NSW residents in a television advertisement that depicted members of the public drinking and gambling.

The ad showed people how to bet on rugby league matches and showed people with half-drunk glasses of beer and others placing bets.

The court also found that people were induced to join the service by an offer of bonus points in the marketing.

Fining the company $3,300 and awarding costs of $4,500, deputy chief magistrate Jane Mottley described the company’s claim that the ads had been withdrawn and that there had been a misunderstanding about their placement as “naive”.

Liquor & Gaming NSW’s acting director of compliance operations Paul Irving, said at the time that the case served as a warning to betting agencies.

“Our compliance staff continue to monitor advertising online and in other media as part of investigations into potential breaches of NSW’s Betting and Racing Regulation.” Irving said after the ruling was handed down.

“As this case shows, companies that break the law can expect to face prosecution in court.”

The 2017 transgression by UBET is similar to the one Tabcorp was accused of back in December.

Tabcorp was found guilty on three counts of advertising to NSW residents in promotions back in August 2015.

Unlike UBET, Tabcorp is challenging the ruling. The case is set to be heard in February.