The bookmaker could be fined up to AU$121,00 (US$77,944) after allegedly incentivising a customer to continue betting after they had requested the closing of their account.
The bookmaker faces a total of 11 charges, five of which pertain to allegedly incentivising a person against closing their betting account following a request. The other six pertain to allegedly accepting bets from a person who requested to close the account.
All charges pertain to a single customer of RobWaterhouse.com. The Betting and Racing Act 1998 prohibits offering individuals inducements to participate in any gambling activity.
Waterhouse, who has not yet formally responded to the charges, is expected to appear at Downing Centre local court on 6 December 2022.
Interestingly, Waterhouse’s website includes a page dedicated to responsible gambling, and offers customers an option to self-exclude from its services, either for a specified period or permanently.
“For most people gambling is an exciting and fun recreational pursuit,” the website says. “For some individuals gambling may result in addiction with devastating consequences for them, their families and friends.
“At RobWaterhouse.com we understand the dangers of gambling beyond your means and we wish to protect our members. We want you to stay in control of your gambling and not allow gambling to control you.”
In 2018, the NSW Government introduced new laws that increased penalties for operators who are found guilty of promoting inducements to gamble.
In December last year, Waterhouse was fined AU$4,500 due to a breach in illegal gambling advertising laws after he promoted the opportunity to obtain increased odds up to five times a day on his website.
