CrownBet under probe for offering gambling incentives; Nick Xenophon wants ‘predatory’ pokie signs banned

New South Wales’ gaming watchdog has its watchful eye set on James Packer’s sports betting agency CrownBet’s latest advertising campaign.

The Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing wants to know if CrownBet’s new promotion, “The Game Just Changed,” has breached NSW’s Racing Administration Regulation of 2012, which prohibits licensed betting operators from putting out ads that offer residents “any credit, voucher or reward as an inducement to participate in gambling or open a betting account,” The Sydney Morning Herald reported over the weekend.

The new advertisement, which made rounds in newspapers, online and social media, said: “Every time you place a bet, you’ll earn CrownBet rewards points to redeem at Crown Resorts. There’s nothing like it in sports betting. Start earning now.”

The OLGR said that it is going after sports betting companies that goad residents encourage residents to gamble.