Victoria fines OkeBet AUD 100,000 for targeting excluded gamblers
The Australian state of Victoria has fined online sportsbook OkeBet for encouraging excluded players to gamble. The company received a penalty of AUD 100,000 after breaching responsible gambling rules. Regulators found that OkeBet sent promotional material to self-excluded individuals and targeted local sports clubs with prohibited offers.
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) took action against OkeBet for multiple violations. Investigations revealed that the company had invited self-excluded players to return to gambling. It also distributed marketing material in community sports clubs, an activity banned under local laws.
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) reviewed the case and upheld the VGCCC's decision. OkeBet was formally censured and ordered to pay the fine. VGCCC CEO Suzy Neilan stressed that protecting vulnerable players and enforcing self-exclusion rules remained a top priority.
This penalty follows earlier enforcement by the VGCCC, which had previously sanctioned 12 gaming venues. Those cases involved violations such as allowing gambling outside permitted trading hours.
OkeBet must now comply with stricter oversight after its AUD 100,000 penalty. The ruling reinforces Victoria's gambling regulations, particularly around self-exclusion and community marketing. The VGCCC continues to monitor operators for similar breaches.
