Sportsbet owner ventures into giveaways with rewards club, anti-gambling advocates concerned
Flutter Entertainment's Sportsbet has launched a rewards club that uses trade promotions to offer large prizes, raising concerns among anti-gambling advocates.Summary
Flutter Entertainment, the parent company of Sportsbet, has launched Sportsdream Rewards, a new venture into the rewards club market. This model uses 'trade promotions' as a legal loophole to run prize draws worth millions of dollars, offering members entries for a monthly fee. The company promises prizes such as cars, cash, and luxury holidays, alongside rebates on sporting events. Despite Flutter's claims that it offers curated offers and discounts, anti-gambling advocates are alarmed. They argue that these loosely regulated clubs allow gambling companies to bypass stringent gambling laws, including self-exclusion restrictions. Prominent advocate Tim Costello noted that the involvement of Sportsbet's CEO in the new venture was 'not an accident.' The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is seeking clarification on the relationship between the two entities. The federal government has pledged to crack down on 'dodgy lotteries' and 'trade promotions' that charge membership fees, but enforcement remains scarce.
(Source：Google News)