New South Wales government going after major online betting firms

Australian media reports have flagged the launch of prosecutions against major online gambling operators by the provincial government of New South Wales.

The Liquor and Gaming provincial regulator is spearheading the prosecutions against Tabcorp Holdings Ltd, Bet365, CrownBet Pty Ltd, and UniBet, accusing the companies of publishing gambling inducements in NSW, and warning that it will not tolerate such activity.

Tabcorp has indicated that it will challenge the accusations, whilst the intentions of the other defendants is not presently known.

Liquor and Gaming director of enforcement, Anthony Keon, said this week that the regulator is closely monitoring advertising on gambling in the province, noting that new regulations have expanded the definition of inducements beyond mere credit vouchers or reward.

He revealed that from March next year, NSW will ban “live odds” gambling advertising on sporting fixtures, with some exceptions.