Colossalbet Fined for Social Media Ad Violations in New South Wale

Betting operator Ryman Racing, trading as Colossalbet, has been issued with a AU$60,000 (£29,244/€35,007/US$37,768) fine for breaching gambling advertising regulations in the Australian state of New South Wales. The fine was imposed at Downing Centre Local Court on 31 March, following an investigation by Liquor & Gaming New South Wales. It was determined that Colossalbet had posted prohibited gambling advertisements on social media, specifically through its sub-brand PuntHub, which published a total of five adverts across Facebook and Instagram.

The New South Wales Betting and Racing Act 1998 stipulates that gambling advertisements must adhere to strict requirements aimed at protecting players from inappropriate content and potential gambling harm. However, the court ruled that the advertisements in question did not meet the necessary standards of decency, dignity, and good taste. Consequently, Colossalbet was convicted and fined, marking the first time an operator has faced such charges in the state.

Liquor & Gaming New South Wales’ acting executive director of regulatory operations, Bernadette Beard, welcomed the ruling and stated that it should serve as a warning to other operators regarding the consequences of violating these regulations. “This is the first time a wagering operator in New South Wales has been prosecuted and convicted for publishing ads which offend standards of decency, dignity and good taste,” Beard remarked. She emphasized the agency’s commitment to monitoring gambling advertising across all platforms, asserting, “We actively monitor gambling advertising across all platforms and will not hesitate to take enforcement action where necessary.” Beard concluded by stating, “This is a serious penalty. I would urge betting providers to take note and ensure the standards in the Act are being met in their advertising.”

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This ruling comes in the wake of the New South Wales government announcing plans in January to impose further restrictions on gambling advertising throughout the state. The new regulations will entail a ban on all forms of gambling advertising on public transport. This prohibition encompasses casino, lottery, and online betting advertisements on trains, metro systems, buses, light rail, as well as at train stations and ferry terminals. The ban will apply to all assets owned and controlled by Transport, which operates an extensive portfolio of advertising assets, including 798 advertising boards at Sydney train stations, 49 road-facing digital billboards, advertisements on up to 3,711 urban buses, 76 trams, and across the Tangara train fleet. The government is now collaborating with advertising contract holders to implement these changes over the next 12 months.