SportsBet punts on $1.5M ‘take a break’ campaign for problem gamblers

SportsBet is taking a half step back from its provocative ads with a new campaign that targets problem gamblers.

The Australian sports betting website will launch a $1.5 million advertising campaign in November to promote its “take a break” service that will tell punters how to avoid the dangers of gambling addiction, The Advertiser reported. The service will allow bettors to bar themselves—temporarily or otherwise—from gambling in SportsBet’s app.

The campaign will run for four weeks on free-to-air channels and online, according to the news outlet. Its launch will coincide with the spring racing carnival and the start of the cricket season, and SportsBet said it will still continue advertising its gambling services during the “take a break” campaign period.

SportsBet’s move comes a month after the Australian government announced its plans to review its online betting laws with an eye towards updating it to reflect the current technological landscape.