New Aussie gambling row surfaces

The Australian media is starting to pick up on criticism of online bookmakers by Chris Scaddan, ABC program manager for the popular music broadcasting station TripleJ, who has complained that betting firms are offering betting facilities on the Hottest 100 hits competition being run by his station.

Scaddan says that many of the station’s young listeners are in a financially vulnerable position and should not be prompted to gamble by online betting companies publicising offers on who will win the contest, which completes on January 26.

Speaking in an on-air interview with Triple J radio program Hack, Scaddan said: “It is concerning that gambling companies are aiming directly at Triple J listeners. We cater to a young audience, an audience that is at a very vulnerable point of their lives financially. Ultimately you’re giving the betting company your money. That’s all they’re interested in. They want your money, they want you signed up to their app.”

Media reports indicate that online bookmakers Sportsbet (owned by Paddy Power), Tom Waterhouse (owned by William Hill) and Ladbrokes are all offering odds on the Hottest 100.

Sportsbet posting to their Facebook page: “Join now for the Hottest 100 and make a $25 first deposit to get a $75 bonus bet!”

Approached for comment, a Sportsbet spokesman said: “The Triple J advertisement would not have been seen by persons under the age of 18. It would not have been displayed in a non-logged in environment.”

But Scaddan said: “We don’t encourage people to bet on the Hottest 100.”

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