The Australian state of Victoria has upheld a penalty against online sportsbook OkeBet after finding the operator breached key harm‑minimisation rules by marketing to self‑excluded individuals and offering prohibited inducements. Regulators emphasized that self‑exclusion must be respected and that at‑risk players deserve robust protections.
VCAT Confirms VGCCC’s Enforcement Action
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) announced that the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has affirmed its earlier ruling that OkeBet violated state gambling laws.
The VGCCC’s investigation found that OkeBet had:
- Sent promotional gambling material to self‑excluded individuals
- Offered prohibited inducements to community sporting clubs
- Circulated marketing materials in local sports venues
- Invited self‑excluded players to open accounts or resume gambling
Under Victorian law, wagering operators are strictly prohibited from encouraging customers to open betting accounts through inducements such as gambling credit, vouchers, rewards, or other benefits. They are also barred from contacting self‑excluded individuals with promotions of any kind.
The breaches came to light in 2024, when the VGCCC received reports that some self‑excluded individuals who received OkeBet’s marketing suffered harm. The regulator took disciplinary action in September 2024, which OkeBet later appealed—an appeal VCAT has now dismissed.
As a result, OkeBet has been censured and ordered to pay a AUD 100,000 penalty.
VGCCC: Self‑Exclusion Must Be Respected
VGCCC CEO Suzy Neilan welcomed the Tribunal’s decision, stressing that operators must uphold Victoria’s harm‑minimisation framework.
“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,” Neilan said.
She added that Australians must be able to rely on self‑exclusion and other harm‑prevention tools, and that operators have a responsibility to ensure their products and marketing comply with Victorian law.
Broader Enforcement Continues
The ruling comes amid a broader compliance push in Victoria. In recent months, the VGCCC has penalized a dozen gaming venues for various violations, including allowing gambling outside permitted trading hours and other regulatory breaches.
