Betfair guilty of offering gambling inducements

The increasingly “nanny-state” gambling environment in Australia this week saw the Aussie division of the online gambling group Betfair plead guilty to offering inducements to gamble in its promotions to players.

Betfair is licensed in the state (province) of Victoria where the law bans inducements such as sign-up and other bonuses, free bets and promos like small gifts.

The Age newspaper reports that Betfair entered its guilty plea Tuesday before Victorian Magistrate Phillip Goldberg who placed the company on a “good conduct,” non-conviction bond for 12 months.

The magistrate found that Betfair had immediately pulled the offending promotional offers, and assisted investigators on being advised of the transgression.

Betfair was accused of offering clients who deposited A$50 or more a A$50 “win or refund” inducement along with small promotional gifts redeemable at the Melbourne Racing Club.

Paddy Power’s Sportsbet Australian subsidiary has also been penalised for a similar offence, but is appealing the conviction.