Sports betting operator BlueBet has been fined AU$50,000 by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) for violating advertising rules. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Sports betting operator BlueBet has been fined AU$50,000 ($32,600) for breaching advertising rules.

the company breached the rules on 43 occasions

Charges were brought against BlueBet last August after the company breached the rules on 43 occasions. The charges relate to gambling advertising on billboards between August 29, 2022 and September 11, 2022. The VGCCC’s investigation found that BlueBet had placed billboards in five areas overlooking public roads.

These digital billboards were found 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).

Local gambling laws state that “betting advertisements are banned on roads, public transport, and within 150 metres of schools.”

Magistrate Greg Thomas stated that he didn’t believe the betting operator wasn’t aware it was violating the rules. Thomas had considered a fine of AU$70,000 ($45,600), but took into consideration BlueBet’s guilty plea, its cooperation with VGCCC, and changes made to prevent a repeat.