Australian sports betting website MintBet has been fined AU$100,000 ($65,000) by authorities for allowing a customer to gamble for 35-hours during a 50-hour period.
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) issued the fine, noting that ‘MintBet did not stop accepting bets from the customer despite the customer displaying indicators of distress that may be related to problem gambling’.
Authorities noted that MintBet only closed the customers account ‘when the customer actively identified they were experiencing harm from their gambling’.
In total, the customer placed 327 bets via their online account with the company, losing AU$31,149 ($20,200).
MintBet will also be required to report to the VGCCC about improvements it will be making to its systems and processes, with the authority noting it ‘will consider MintBet’s response and determine whether further action might be necessary’.
VGCCC Deputy CEO Scott May noted in regards to the fine that “There are serious consequences for any gambling provider that fails to comply with their own responsible gambling code of conduct. We won’t tolerate it”.
MintBet does provide a segment on its website indicating signs of problem gambling, which include ‘difficulty controlling or stopping gambling behavior’ and ‘spending more money or time on gambling than intended’.
Australian authorities have been increasingly leveling fines at operators for failures in addressing problem gambling, targeting both land-based and online gambling.
