Australian Bookmaker Robbie Waterhouse Faces Hefty Fines for Allegedly Accepting Bets From Self-Excluded Gambler
Major Australian bookmaking figure Robbie Waterhouse finds himself embroiled in controversy following accusations that his firm violated gaming regulations. Allegedly, his company continued accepting wagers from a client who had attempted to shut down their account. The New South Wales Liquor & Gaming authority is pursuing legal action against Waterhouse. Should the accusations hold, his business could face penalties reaching $12.1 million AUD (approximately $7.8 million USD).
Waterhouse is named in 11 separate charges. Five assert that the company urged the client to continue placing bets even after they requested account closure. The remaining six allege the company processed bets from the client following the closure request.
These charges all pertain to a single individual who held an account with RobWaterhouse.com. The crux of the issue lies in Australian law, which rigorously forbids any type of inducement to gamble.
Although Waterhouse has not issued a formal response to the charges, it’s noteworthy that his company’s website includes a section dedicated to responsible gambling. This section allows customers to self-exclude from utilizing its services, either temporarily or permanently. The website explains, “For most individuals, wagering is a thrilling and enjoyable form of leisure. For a small percentage, wagering can become addictive and have ruinous effects on themselves, their families, and their friends.”
Waterhouse is scheduled to appear in court on December 6, 2022.
We recognize that wagering can become problematic, and our aim is to assist you in maintaining control. Our goal is for you to have a positive experience, so we’ve implemented updated regulations to ensure it remains enjoyable.
These revised regulations are stringent for businesses that fail to approach their obligations seriously. As an illustration, Waterhouse faced significant penalties last year for violating the guidelines by providing excessive bonuses and promotional offers.
