The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has upheld the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission’s decision that online bookmaker partnership OkeBet contravened the Gambling Regulation by sending promotional gambling materials to self-excluded persons.

The regulator has imposed a $100,000 fine and a censure on OkeBet.

‘We took disciplinary action in September 2024 because we were concerned that OkeBet were taking advantage of community sporting clubs and exposing their supporters to gambling harm. We were also concerned that self-excluded people were still receiving promotional gambling offers from OkeBet,’ CEO Suzy Neilan said today. 

The appeal by OkeBet was dismissed by VCAT, affirming the Commission’s decision and findings.

Ms Neilan said that the decision reinforced the importance of protecting both vulnerable individuals and community institutions from harmful gambling practices.

‘Local footy and netball clubs are often the heart of their communities, places where people come together to support one another. They should not be used as vehicles to promote gambling, particularly where those promotions include inducements that are prohibited by law,’ Ms Neilan said.

Wagering service providers are prohibited from offering any credit, voucher, reward or other benefit as an inducement to open a betting account. They are also required to ensure that promotional materials are not sent to self-excluded persons.

‘Furthermore, self-exclusion is a critical harm-minimisation safeguard. It is a clear signal from an individual that they do not wish to gamble or to be exposed to further gambling marketing. That signal must be respected’, Ms Neilan said. 

In its reasons, the Deputy President of VCAT found that ‘the fact that a customer has self-excluded from holding a betting account with OkeBet is clear evidence that the customer does not consent to receiving direct marketing from OkeBet and has communicated their lack of consent to the receipt of direct marketing from OkeBet.’

VCAT also found that some self-excluded individuals who received OkeBet’s marketing material suffered harm. The Tribunal referred to evidence from a complainant who had self-excluded months earlier, and who experienced significant mental distress as a result of receiving the promotional gambling material.

‘This decision serves as an important reminder to wagering service providers that they must comply with the law and minimise gambling harm,’ Ms Neilan said.