Aussie trade group looking to ban free bet ads

Newly-formed trade association Responsible Wagering Australia is making sure that its presence is felt in the industry by backing a push to ban advertisements that promote “free” and “bonus” bets in the country.

Launched barely two weeks ago, RWA is a new body espousing a code of conduct that includes responsible gambling and harm-minimization protocols. The group, whose founding members include Bet365, Betfair, CrownBet, Sportsbet and Unibet, said it will support government initiatives to reduce the potential “adverse influence” of gambling.

And it appears that RWA is making good on its promise.

RWA executive director Stephen Conroy was quoted by The Sunday Mail saying the group will support a “stronger regulation” around gambling advertising. Currently, every other state in Australia has a regulation around the issue of inducement advertising, but Conroy believes a “national approach” is needed.