PointsBet has cautioned that Australia’s stricter gambling advertising laws risk giving unlicensed offshore operators a competitive edge over regulated local bookmakers.
Speaking at the company’s annual general meeting, PointsBet Group CEO Andrew Catterall said licensed operators are dealing with rising compliance costs while illegal offshore sites continue targeting Australian punters without having to follow the same rules.
Black-Market Concerns Raised by PointsBet
The new national advertising restrictions will limit wagering promotions around live sport and ban athletes, celebrities and influencers from featuring in gambling campaigns.
Betting ads will be prohibited during set periods surrounding live sporting events. Outside those windows, free-to-air television will be restricted to a maximum of three gambling commercials per hour.
Catterall argued the changes will make the Australian market more complicated and expensive for licensed companies. At the same time, offshore platforms can still promote themselves through less-regulated digital channels and simply relaunch under new domain names after being blocked by internet service providers.
The distinction between regulated and offshore gambling is also important for players researching online casinos. Our guide to real money casinos covers the factors Australians should consider when comparing operators, including licensing, payments and player protections.
He called on the government to ensure the Australian Communications and Media Authority and other agencies have the powers and resources needed to disrupt illegal operators effectively.
PointsBet maintains that stronger consumer protections must go hand-in-hand with real enforcement against companies that ignore Australian law.
Harm Advocates Say the Reforms Still Fall Short
Gambling-harm campaigners have attacked the legislation from the opposite direction, claiming the restrictions do not go far enough to reduce the visibility of betting brands.
One contested clause allows certain existing gambling sponsorships on sports uniforms to continue until the end of 2031. Critics argue this long transition period will keep betting logos in front of children and young audiences for years to come.
The government now finds itself trying to strike a balance: cutting the volume of gambling advertising without driving more customers toward offshore sites that offer weaker player protections and almost no regulatory accountability.
Pokie Inc will keep tracking the impact of Australia’s advertising reforms and the ongoing battle against illegal offshore operators.
