Online gambling powerhouse accused of spinning a “web of deception”

The Australian operations of UK online gambling giant Bet365 have fallen foul of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission over betting incentives and wager-through requirements.

The Commission took Bet365’s Australian and UK companies, Hillside (Australia New Media) and Hillside (Shared Services) to federal court on accusations of misleading and deceiving practices to the detriment of consumers, claiming that over a 10 month period it offered A$200 ‘free’ bets for new customers…but in reality they had to gamble their deposit and the promotion bonus three times before being able to withdraw any winnings.

The court found in the Commission’s favour this week, ruling that Hillside had misled and deceived customers.

“New customers who had not previously used such types of services were drawn into this web of deception,” Justice Jonathan Beach said in his judgement.

The ACCC failed in its attempt to have other allegations of deception found against the company; a separate trial will be held to determine penalties.

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