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Gambling Lures Banned
Unscrupulous advertisers will no longer be able to offer inducements to consumers to open betting accounts under new laws passed last week.
Consumers will be better protected under bookmaking advertising legislation targeting Victorian and interstate bookmakers passed in Parliament as part of the Justice Legislation Amendment Bill 2009.
It will now be an offence for a wagering service provider to offer any credit, voucher or reward as an inducement to open a betting account.
The restrictions also prevent advertising which:
- depicts children involved in wagering or gambling
- suggests winning will be a definite outcome of wagering or sports betting
- suggests wagering or sports betting will improve someone’s financial prospects
- promotes the consumption of alcohol while engaged in wagering or sports betting, or
- is offensive.
The Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation will be responsible for policing the advertising restrictions.
“These measures support the government’s ongoing commitment to minimise harm and to foster a responsible gambling environment, including putting an end to the current practice of some bookmakers who offer free bets as an inducement for punters to open an account,” Minister for Racing Rob Hulls explained.
Under the legislation, interstate bookmakers will be able to advertise in Victoria for the first time, but will be subject to the same strict advertising conditions as Victorian advertisers.
Mr Hulls said the Victorian and New South Wales Governments agreed in October last year to a changed regulatory environment allowing responsible advertising by Australian-based wagering service providers.
The amendments are necessary to ensure Victorian legislation does not unreasonably discriminate against wagering service providers in other states and territories.
Mr Hulls said the current restrictions on advertising by wagering operators not licensed in Australia will be retained under the new legislation.