TexBet Fined $33,000 AUD in Australia

Gaming operator O'Shea Bookmaking Pty has been fined $33,000 AUD by an Australian court for breaking gambling rules set under the Betting and Racing Act 1998.

The fine was imposed after the company's TexBet brand was found to have been accepting new bets and sending gambling ads to a customer that was attempting to close their account. The incident occurred in May 2022 and involved a punter who tried to close his account, but was targeted by the operator with ads. That player ended up putting in an additional 75 bets and eventually filed a complaint with the company.

The incident was investigated by New South Wales regulator Liquor & Gaming NSW, and the fine was handed down by the Downing Centre Local Court after a hearing.

Liquor & Gaming NSW Executive Director of Regulatory Operations Jane Lin commented on the fine, noting: "By engaging in this behaviour TexBet has broken a law that was put in place to protect vulnerable people who are trying to exclude themselves from gambling... Not only has TexBet broken the law, but it also placed this individual at greater risk of further gambling harm by sending them ads and accepting their bets after they specifically requested for their account to be closed and not to receive gambling ads.

"Online betting businesses that operate in NSW need to ensure they have robust systems in place to prevent direct advertising to people who have opted out. If they fail to abide by NSW gambling laws they should expect to be caught and prosecuted."

No comment from TexBet was available at press time.