Colossalbet, a sports betting agency, is facing potential closure after pleading guilty to five breaches of gambling advertising laws. The company's campaign, featuring a photo of rugby league star Valentine Holmes with a bag of white powder, pornographic imagery, and sexually suggestive slogans, drew the attention of Liquor and Gaming NSW. Prosecutors argued the ads were visible to social media users without betting accounts. Colossalbet's director claims a young employee acted rogue and the ads were harmless, but the company could face a hefty fine of up to $110,000.
A sports betting agency faces being shut down after violating gambling advertising laws with a racy social media campaign that featured an infamous picture of rugby league star Valentine Holmes with a bag of white powder, as well as pornographic imagery and slogans.
The promotional material included the use of the notorious photograph of Holmes with a bag of white powder in his mouth which led to the Queensland and Australian representative player being fined $25,000 and suspended for a match. According to court documents, Racing NSW approved the use of the sub-brand Punthub in July 2023 but Liquor and Gaming NSW determined that the ads on the page were “published otherwise than in accordance with decency, dignity and good taste”.Ryman Racing’s sole director, Sydney betting industry veteran Mark Ryman, said the ads had been posted by a young employee who was dismissed immediately.
“I’m a sole trader,” the 62-year-old said. “I’m not Tabcorp, I’m not Sportsbet, I’m not Bet365. I’d have to shut the business if they fined me .”
GAMBLING ADVERTISING LAW SOCIAL MEDIA SPORTS BETTING
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