CrownBet Pays Up Over $20K for Illegal Activity

CrownBet, online betting platform and partner of AFL, has been accused of illegal advertising in New South Wales (NSW). The company was convicted on April 21st on five separate counts of issuing illegal betting advertisements, simultaneously influencing gambling to the NSW community. Advertisements were published on the company's website, boasting a bonus reward points for the grand final, NBA, and Melbourne Cup. Licensed wagering operators are prohibited from publishing advertisements that may impact NSW residents toward engaging in activities directly related to gambling, such as opening a betting account, as stated in the Betting and Racing Regulation 2012. The five counts of illegal activity were discovered, via a thorough investigation, to have occurred within the months of October and December in 2015. The Australian online bookmaker did not make any attempt to deny its illegal activities, pleading guilty on all five counts. As a result, it must pay $10,500 in fines, and $10,000 in Liquor and Gaming NSW legal costs. According to the NSW government department, CrownBet “sought to have the matters finalised without conviction in Downing Centre Local Court… but Magistrate Joanne Keogh said convictions were necessary for general deterrence to others in the industry and to protect the vulnerable.” According to a CrownBet spokesman, “Magistrate Keogh described the offences as 'inadvertent' and involving 'momentary non-compliance'”. The spokesman further added, “Working closely with the office of liquor and gaming, CrownBet has since made significant improvements to its processes and systems to ensure ongoing compliance with the regulations.”