Online betting operator PlayUp Interactive has been fined almost AU$600,000 for offering illegal gambling inducements to players.
The fine of AU586,000 (approx. €356,000) was handed down last week by the Downing Centre Local Court in New South Wales (NSW) following an investigation by regulatory authority Liquor & Gaming NSW.
The investigation found 33 illegal ads on PlayUp’s Draftstars website that offered inducements to gamble or to open a new account, in breach of NSW regulations.
Dimitri Argeres, director of compliance and enforcement at Liquor & Gaming NSW, said online betting operators are well aware of the legislation in NSW on offering inducements.
“NSW bans the advertisement of any offer of an inducement to participate in a gambling activity, including an inducement to bet more frequently, to persons who do not hold a betting account with the betting operator,” Argeres said following the ruling.
“Wagering operators like PlayUp Interactive are able to legally advertise their products in a variety of ways, but they can’t advertise or promote inducements such as offers of increased odds or bonus bets to entice people to open a betting account.
“It is the responsibility of the betting service provider to ensure prohibited gambling advertising is not published or communicated in NSW,” Argeres concluded.
In July 2023, PlayUp Interactive was handed the maximum available penalty of AU$26,860 in Australia’s Northern Territory for allowing a self-excluded player to gamble. The company also had its New Jersey license revoked in the same month.