Sportsbet,Australia's biggest online betting site,is owned by global gambling giant Paddy Power Betfair.Credit:Pat Scala
The case was launched by the state's gambling watchdog,Liquor&Gaming NSW,following an investigation into an advertisement posted on the sportsbet.com.au website on July 5,2018.
In the Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday,the company was fined $10,000 and ordered to pay more than $7300 in legal costs for breaching state gaming laws.
The advertisement contained a cartoon image of two males with their thumbs up,and said,"Refer a Friend – Get a $100 Bonus Bet for every friend you refer to join sportsbet.com.au (excl. VIC,NSW,WA&SA) Terms and Conditions".
Loading
Liquor&Gaming said it was an offence to publish a gambling advertisement containing"any inducement to participate,or participate frequently,in any gambling activity",including an inducement to open a betting account.
The regulator said its guidelines made it clear that bonus bet offers would be deemed illegal inducements,regardless of whether they were accompanied by a disclaimer.
On Thursday Sportsbet,which had pleaded guilty,said it accepted the court's decision.