Aussie bookie OkeBet slapped with fine after Victorian breaches
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has upheld disciplinary action taken against online bookmaker OkeBet, confirming the company breached Victoria’s Gambling Regulation Act by marketing to self-excluded individuals and offering prohibited inducements through community sporting clubs.
VCAT dismissed an appeal by OkeBet, affirming findings by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) that the operator sent promotional gambling materials to people who had self-excluded and used incentives to encourage club members and supporters to open betting accounts.
The VGCCC imposed a $100,000 fine and issued a formal censure in September 2024.
VGCCC chief executive Suzy Neilan said the decision reinforced the need to protect vulnerable individuals and community institutions from gambling harm, noting that local sporting clubs should not be used to promote betting.
“We took disciplinary action in September 2024 because we were concerned that OkeBet were taking advantage of community sporting clubs and exposing their supporters to gambling harm,” she said.
“We were also concerned that self-excluded people were still receiving promotional gambling offers from OkeBet.”
“Local footy and netball clubs are often the heart of their communities, places where people come together to support one another.
“They should not be used as vehicles to promote gambling, particularly where those promotions include inducements that are prohibited by law.”
Sports betting sites in Australia are prohibited from offering new account incentives, vouchers or free bets as a way of enticing new customers. They must also ensure promotions are not sent to self-excluded individuals
“Furthermore, self-exclusion is a critical harm-minimisation safeguard. It is a clear signal from an individual that they do not wish to gamble or to be exposed to further gambling marketing. That signal must be respected,” Neilan said.
The tribunal found self-exclusion clearly signalled a lack of consent to receive gambling marketing and accepted evidence that some recipients suffered mental distress.
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission and OkeBet will both have opportunities to submit their arguments about the penalty later this year.
