Online bookmaker O’Shea Bookmaking Pty Ltd, operating as TexBet, has been fined AU$33,000 ($22,819) by the New South Wales Government for violating gambling regulations.
According to NSW authorities, this bookmaker continued to send advertisements and accept bets from a customer who requested to close their betting account.
The Downing Centre Local Court issued the fine on September 25, marking a significant enforcement action under the Betting and Racing Act 1998 (NSW).
This penalty is the first of its kind for an online betting agency in New South Wales, related to direct marketing without consent and failing to comply with a customer’s account closure request, both of which became effective in 2019.
The case stemmed from a complaint lodged with Liquor & Gaming NSW by a former TexBet customer who, in May 2022, withdrew their consent to receive gambling advertisements and asked for their betting account to be closed.
Despite the request, TexBet sent the customer four gambling ads via text messages and processed 75 new bets from them after the account closure request.
Liquor & Gaming NSW Executive Director of Regulatory Operations, Jane Lin, stated that TexBet’s actions represented serious violations of the state’s gaming laws.
“By engaging in this behavior, TexBet has broken a law designed to protect vulnerable individuals attempting to exclude themselves from gambling”, Lin said.
Lin further emphasized the importance of the laws, which aim to mitigate gambling harm by simplifying the self-exclusion process and reducing exposure to gambling advertisements. “Direct marketing of gambling inducements can lead to increased betting and gambling-related harm,” she added.
The Executive Director highlighted that TexBet not only violated the law but also heightened the risk of further gambling harm for the affected individual by continuing to send ads and accept bets after the account closure request.
“Online betting businesses in NSW must implement robust systems to prevent direct advertising to individuals who have opted out”, she warned, urging compliance with state gambling laws to avoid prosecution.
