The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has upheld a A$100,000 fine imposed on Australian online bookmaker OkeBet for harmful promotions.
The Tribunal dismissed an appeal by OekBet and backed the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission’s (VGCCC) decision that the operator had contravened the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 (Vic), by sending promotional gambling materials to self-excluded persons, and offering prohibited inducements to community sporting clubs to get their members and supporters to open new betting accounts.
“We took disciplinary action in September 2024 because we were concerned that OkeBet were taking advantage of community sporting clubs and exposing their supporters to gambling harm,” said VGCCC chief executive Suzy Neilan. “We were also concerned that self-excluded people were still receiving promotional gambling offers from OkeBet.”
Neilan said the decision reinforced the importance of protecting both vulnerable individuals and community institutions from harmful gambling practices.
“Local footy and netball clubs are often the heart of their communities, places where people come together to support one another,” she continued. “They should not be used as vehicles to promote gambling, particularly where those promotions include inducements that are prohibited by law.
“Furthermore, self-exclusion is a critical harm-minimisation safeguard. It is a clear signal from an individual that they do not wish to gamble or to be exposed to further gambling marketing. That signal must be respected.”
Neilan concluded: “This decision serves as an important reminder to wagering service providers that they must comply with the law and minimise gambling harm.”