Ban on bonus bets would be a ‘disastrous outcome’ for punters, Racing NSW warns Albanese government

Racing NSW is continuing to lobby the Albanese Government over its inquiry into online gambling, arguing the banning of inducements would do nothing to reduce problem gambling.

Bookmaker bonus bets are under threat in the Federal Government’s inquiry into online gambling. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Racing NSW is continuing to lobby the Albanese Government that the banning of bonus bets would be a “disastrous outcome” for punters.

This is in response to a Federal Government inquiry established last year into online gambling that considered a range of matters including advertising, regulations and the offering of generosities.

In its submission to the inquiry, Racing NSW illustrated the vast majority of gambling harm comes from poker machines and even lotteries were responsible for more problem gamblers than wagering on racing.

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“However, the inquiry had ideologically formed the view that all gambling was bad and drastic action was needed,’’ Racing NSW wrote in its draft Strategic Plan document released earlier this week.

“The inquiry’s recommendations included a complete ban on inducements, with the definition of inducements so broad that it would have banned the offering of generosities such as bonus bets (for racing and sports).

“This would have been a disastrous outcome for punters and would have done nothing to reduce problem gambling.’’

With the Federal Government about to announce which of the inquiry’s recommendations it will adopt, Racing NSW is prosecuting the case that the “offering of generosities such as bonus bets should be protected as they are a reward for punters and not an inducement”.

“Further, Racing NSW has continued to argue that Australia should not go the way of the United Kingdom in terms of introducing draconian affordability checks that would be an unfair and unreasonable impost on punters,’’ the document read.

“Racing NSW’s focus is to ensure that all punters are able to place a legitimate bet on NSW Thoroughbred races and not be discriminated against by having their accounts closed or bets refused simply because they are successful.’’

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In a key proposal as part of its draft strategic plan, @racing_nsw has reiterated plans to develop a 1000-horse Sydney training centre similar to England’s famous Newmarket complex. @RayThomas_1 has the details. 👇https://t.co/QAcBVasBgo

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Racing NSW’s draft Strategic Plan also revealed a new initiative to help punters with the introduction of a condition that, where legally permissible, wagering operators cannot suspend or close a punter’s account if a complaint has been lodged and an investigation begun.

“This will allow the punter to continue betting, and not be disadvantaged pending the outcome of the investigation,’’ the document read.

“Punters will be permitted to operate their betting account to make deposits and place bets but will be restricted from making withdrawals until the complaint is resolved by Racing NSW.’’

In another overdue initiative, Racing NSW is reviewing the introduction of a consistent scale of betting deductions when there are scratchings.

This proposal will ensure all wagering operators apply the same deduction (cents in the dollar) according to the scratching of a horse, rather than some of the inconsistencies that occur presently.

“For example, currently one wagering operator may deduct 11 cents in the dollar for a specific scratching while other wagering operators may deduct up to 15 cents for the same horse, which disadvantages one punter against another,’’ the document revealed.

“Racing NSW will set a fair deduction, noting that will be a maximum and a wagering operator can choose to go even lower. A further review of these minimum bet limits is underway to also consider the impacts of new betting products and whether it would be equitable for these to also be captured by the minimum bet limits.’’

Racing NSW has provided a draft of its 2024 Strategic Plan for industry consideration and has called for submissions from participants and interested parties by September 13 before the document is finalised.