The UBet wagering division of Australian operator Tatts Group has become the first company to be punished for an advert linking gambling with alcohol.
This week, Liquor and Gaming New South Wales successfully prosecuted Ubet for a “Punters Academy” YouTube video that showed people learning how to bet ‘head to head’ on National Rugby League matches while holding half-drunk glasses of beer.
The same advert resulted in Ubet also being convicted of offering inducements to punters. The convictions resulted in deputy chief magistrate Jane Mottley fining Ubet A$3,300 in addition to awarding court costs of $4,500.
Ubet’s defense had rested on its claims that there was some misunderstanding regarding the ad’s placement and that it had withdrawn the ad once it realized its error. Mottley wasn’t buying it, calling these claims “naïve.”