Deputy Premier calls out operators over unsolicited advertising

Tuesday 28th of November 2017

South Australia Deputy Premier John Rau said he has received “disturbing” reports of online gambling providers enticing children and other vulnerable people to gamble, local media reports.

Mr. Rau said some online gambling companies are sending unsolicited advertisements and offering incentives to individuals - while not obtaining proof of age information before signing up customers.

“We have unsolicited bait advertising, cold canvassing and no proof of age or identity being required to commence betting. Imagine if this were the case with tobacco or alcohol,” he said, quoted by Adelaide Now.

“It should be just as hard to establish a betting account as it is to establish a bank account.

The deputy premier has threatened to publicly name and shame any operator not ensuring they complete age and identity checks before allowing new accounts, as well as any who are advertising to minors or other vulnerable people.

“A person can easily open an account with online gambling services without verification of their age or other relevant details,” he said.

“Under current rules providers can have up to 90 days to verify a person’s identity.

“This may obviously not occur before a lot of money has been wagered.”

Mr Rau has urged anyone who has been targeted by an online gaming company in breach of the rules to report it.

“I will be publicly outing any operators who are identified,” he said.

Sports Betting Illegal Inducement