News

VGCCC charges BlueBet with alleged unlawful gambling advertising

18?August?2023


(PRESS RELEASE) -- The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission has charged wagering service provider BlueBet Pty Ltd for allegedly unlawfully displaying three gambling advertisements on billboards over a fortnight in late 2022.

BlueBet faces 43 charges for allegedly contravening section 4.7.1 of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003.

The wagering service provider allegedly caused gambling advertisements to be displayed between 29 August 2022 and 11 September 2022 on billboards located at:

- Princes Freeway on the Point Cook Road Overpass (Laverton)
- Princes Freeway on the Princes Highway Overpass (Point Cook)
- Western Freeway Melton – Werribee Road (Rockbank)
- Western Freeway before Ballarat Road Overpass (Ravenhall)
- Princes Freeway on Sneydes Road Overpass (Werribee)

The 43 charges each attract a fine of 120 penalty units, with each penalty unit worth $184.92 at the time of the offence. If BlueBet is found guilty of all the charges, it faces a maximum fine of up to $954,187.20.

VGCCC Regulatory Services Director Jason Cremona said:

“All wagering service providers advertising in Victoria must comply with relevant legislation. Where we detect non-compliance – especially non-compliance that can exacerbate gambling harm – we will take a zero-tolerance approach and use all the enforcement powers available to us.

“We launched our investigation after receiving an online complaint about the billboard advertisements from a member of the public.

“We encourage all members of the community to use our complaints and tip-off portals to let us know when they believe they have witnessed non-compliant behaviour by gambling providers. The community can rest assured we will act wherever we can.”

As these charges are now before the court, the VGCCC will not be providing further comment.