SportChamps, the online betting operator, has been fined AU$17,500 for inducing people to gamble and open a betting account.

The fine comes after the company received five previous convictions for similar offences.

SportChamps pled guilty to two offences under the Betting and Racing Act.

It is an offence in New South Wales, Australia to publish or offer inducements to open a betting account. An investigation by Liquor & Gaming NSW into advertisements on its website and social media pages found adverts that read “Punt for free. Learn the game!” and “Receive a free bet each day.”

“SportChamps has five previous convictions for gambling advertising offences from 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2021,” said Liquor and Gaming NSW executive director regulatory operations, Jane Lin. “It’s extremely concerning that this operator has amassed multiple convictions for breaching laws which are in place to protect people from gambling harm.”