Australian Regulator Slaps Betr with Hefty Fine for Advertising Violations

Australian sportsbook Betr, backed by News Corp, has been fined AU$210,000 (approximately $142,000) by the Liquor & Gaming New South Wales regulator for breaching advertising regulations in 2022. The company provided odds of up to 100-1 on any wager of up to AU$10 on horse racing in the 2022 Melbourne Cup through newspapers, radio, and television stations.

This allowed Betr to attract thousands of new clients and promote its brand. However, the regulator found that these actions encouraged people to open wagering accounts and gamble more frequently, thus violating regulations.

Online casinos often have bonus offers to incentivise players to bet with them, but it’s important to know about any changes to legislation that could mean the casino – or company - is violating those regulations.

What is Betr

Betr is an online sportsbook co-founded by Jake Paul, targeting casual sports fans who prefer stress-free, on-demand sports wagering. The platform differs significantly from other online sportsbooks in terms of design and layout, focusing on minimalism and simplicity. Unlike other betting apps, such as DraftKings and BetMGM, Betr sacrifices features for a more streamlined process, enabling users to place in-game wagers quickly and easily.

The Betr app exclusively focuses on live, in-game wagering and does not provide features like statistical research tools, live streams, or advanced types of wagers. Furthermore, the platform does not offer standard pregame bets, such as moneylines and point spreads. This approach may not appeal to all bettors, but it caters to those who prefer a simplified betting experience.

Further Incentives and Previous Accusations

Betr also offered similar incentives for the Cox Plate and AFL and NRL markets to entice customers away from established gambling firms. Earlier this year, Tabcorp CEO Adam Rytenskild accused Betr of launching "highly distortionary promotional offers" to improve its market share shortly after launching, putting Tabcorp in direct competition with Betr as it sought to expand its online gambling products.

Record-Breaking Fine

Receiving 14 separate infringement notices, Betr now faces the largest fine ever imposed on a gambling firm for inducements in New South Wales. The regulator's executive director, Jane Lin, deemed the $210,000 fine appropriate given the company's significant breaches of the law. Anti-gambling advocates have previously argued that financial penalties are often too small to have the desired effect.

Betr's Response

Betr maintains that it did not breach regulations and has called on the state regulator to clarify guidance given to the sector. A company spokesperson stated, "We offered and advertised the $100-1 Melbourne Cup market in accordance with the law and entirely consistent with the guidance published by Liquor and Gaming NSW which clearly indicated this conduct was legal." Betr decided not to challenge the penalty notices in order to resolve the matter amicably.

Controversy Surrounding Betr's Non-Standard Betting Model

The controversy is not new to Betr, as its non-standard betting model has raised eyebrows in the sports betting community. Unlike other online sportsbooks that provide various betting options and features, Betr exclusively focuses on microbetting, which some may argue limits the platform's appeal to a broader audience.

The microbetting concept works best with live sports, allowing users to watch and wager simultaneously. However, latency issues can arise with in-play betting for users with slower streams or broadcast delays. This issue is not unique to Betr, as every sportsbook offering microbetting markets operates in real-time, with latency determined by users' broadcasts and streaming services.

Microbetting: Betr's Unique Approach

Betr uses the term "microbetting" to describe its business model, which emphasizes short-term, in-game wagers. The platform aims to disrupt the "legacy gambling" market by making sports betting simple, fun, and fast. Betr's typical wagers involve predicting the result of the next play, rather than the overall winner of the game. Consequently, Betr's betting experience is fast-paced and easy to understand, with instant payouts.

The wagering interface reflects this approach, displaying payouts in multiples instead of traditional odds found at other online sportsbooks. Betr presents wagers as multiple-choice questions for enhanced simplicity.

Microbetting focuses on ultra-short-term markets, such as the outcome of the next free throw, at-bat, or snap. Betr's spin on microbetting eliminates traditional odds displays, streamlining the betting experience for users who want a quick and easy process.

If Microbetting is not your Thing, You Have Choices

Betr's case serves as a reminder that there are numerous sportsbooks available to Australian players. Those interested in top-class sports betting information should visit our site for a list of top sportsbooks offering odds on Australian and New Zealand sports.