Operators urged to drop club sponsorship inducement practices in Victoria
The VGCCC has reminded wagering providers that they have a responsibility to minimise harm and uphold community expectations through their social licence.
The Victoria Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has released a statement demanding that operators cease problematic promotions following club sponsorships.
This is because, under Australian national policy, the National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Wagering prohibits operators from offering any financial incentives or offers that could entice people to open accounts.
Such financial incentives could include any credit, vouchers, promotions or other rewards that would be awarded to the player in the form of welcome bonuses.
The VGCCC has discovered that a number of sporting clubs allowed online wagering providers to link financial incentives to members of the club that sign up.
Not only that, but the clubs themselves have provided additional impetus based on the amount their members spend with operators.
In its statement, the VGCCC said: “Sporting clubs need to be mindful of community expectations around incentivising members, and potentially junior members, to gamble.
“We encourage sporting clubs to refrain from entering into such sponsorship deals which may harm members and may constitute illegal behaviour by the wagering provider.
“The VGCCC has written to a number of wagering service providers demanding they cease promoting their product in this manner as they may be in breach of legislation by doing so, in addition to being inconsistent with their social licence to minimise harm.”
Since April, the gambling industry in Australia has been embroiled in a discussion as to whether a total ban on match-day jersey sponsorships in the country should be enforced.
This has already caused several operators to abandon sponsorships on clubs in the country, such as Entain, which cited community concerns.
Entain brands Ladbrokes and Neds had previously been the main team sponsors of Brisbane Broncos and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
In other Australian news, The Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group (ALH) has received a fine of AU$550,000 (US$353,443) for operating over 200 gaming machines without mandatory pre-commitment technology installed
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