MintBet fined $100,000 in Australia over responsible gambling failures

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has issued a AUD$100,000 fine to locally licensed bookmaker MintBet for repeat breaches of the Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct.

The fine follows one customer gambling online with MintBet for 35 hours in a period of approximately 50 hours.

By the end of the customer’s betting period, they had placed 327 bets and lost $31,149. 

The Commission found that MintBet did not stop accepting bets from the customer, as required by the state’s Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct, despite the customer displaying indicators of distress that may be related to problem gambling.

MintBet closed the customer’s account only when the customer actively identified they were experiencing harm from their gambling. 

The Commission also found that although MintBet had some systems in place to ensure vulnerable individuals do not experience a loss of control from their gambling, they were found to be inadequate, also breaching a requirement of the Code. 

In addition to issuing a fine, MintBet will be required to respond to the VGCCC about what improvements it will be making to its systems and processes.

“Victorian gambling providers must comply with their responsible gambling codes of conduct,” said VGCCC deputy CEO Scott May. “They exist to protect people from gambling harm. Even if accepting bets online, providers must monitor for and intervene when customers are displaying indicators of distress.

“Gambling for an extended period is a key indicator of distress that may indicate problem gambling. There are serious consequences for any gambling provider that fails to comply with their own responsible gambling code of conduct. We won’t tolerate it.”