Aussie online gambling firm to invest in resposible gaming

With a federal government review of Australian online gambling now in progress (see previous reports), Sportsbet has announced that it is to spend A$1.5 million in a national advertising drive designed to advise online punters how to avoid becoming a problem gambling statistic.

The four-week campaign will run through November this year, promoting Sportsbet’s “take a break” service and coinciding with the spring racing carnival and start of the cricket season.

The campaign is supported with a service that allows gamblers to exclude themselves from betting using the company’s app, either temporarily or for keeps.

Meanwhile, Financial Counselling Australia has proposed a national self-exclusion register after meeting with the Australian Wagering Council two weeks ago to consider the development of such a scheme.

Financial Counselling Australia’s manager of policy Lauren Levin said it was “great that some companies are adopting a more ethical model of business” but added that practices still had to improve across the industry.

Levin suggested that an independent register that reports to government would be the best model along with a code of conduct and punitive penalties for non-compliance.

“There will always be new players in the market, and in every industry there are rogue operators and that’s why there needs to be a strong national regulatory framework,” she said.

Sportsbet chief executive Cormac Barry said the “self-service nature” of the “take a break” facility was its biggest strength.

“It removes the psychological barrier of having to tell someone they’re experiencing issues in order to close their account – we know this is a significant barrier towards taking the first step towards recovery,” he said.

“Ultimately, when our customers bet with us, we want them to feel like they are doing it in the safest environment available so they can focus on having fun.”

In related news six Victorian AFL clubs have signed up to keep young people away from gambling, AAP reports….but they haven’t given up their pokie machines.

The Western Bulldogs, St Kilda and Essendon joined Collingwood, Hawthorn, and North Melbourne in signing a responsible gambling pledge today (Monday). The pledge includes an undertaking not to give gambling inducements as awards or prizes and to promote responsible gambling. It also specified that the clubs will not enter sponsorship deals with sports betting agencies who promote gambling to children.

“This is not an anti-gambling message. It’s a commitment to minimising the exposure of gambling advertising and gambling culture on young people,” Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation chief executive Serge Sardo said on Monday.

Gaming Minister Jane Garrett said the pledge was aimed at protecting the many young fans of AFL from getting involved in problem gambling.