A Former Young Rich Lister’s Betting Platform Convicted for Flouting NSW Gambling Laws
A former young rich lister’s tournament betting platform has received its eighth conviction for violating NSW gambling laws. SportChamps, founded by bookie entrepreneur Alan Eskander, pleaded guilty to breaching the law against offering inducements to open or cancel a betting account. The company was fined $17,500 by the Downing Centre Local Court.
Alan Eskander’s SportChamps has been fined for flouting NSW laws.Credit: Wayne Taylor
SportChamps was fined $17,500 after an investigation by Liquor and Gaming NSW found that it had violated the law by enticing new customers with offers of free bets. This is not the first time SportChamps has been convicted for violating gambling laws, with previous convictions for advertising schemes that offered cash rewards and deposit matching.
Alan Eskander, the founder of SportChamps, has a long history in the Australian gambling industry. He started out in Melbourne’s racetracks under the guidance of his bookie father and later founded his own platform, Betstar, which was sold to Ladbrokes in a $25 million deal.
Eskander’s Journey in the Gambling Industry
In 2016, Alan Eskander was named number 69 on The Australian Financial Review’s Young Rich list with a wealth of $38 million. His betting platform, SportChamps, has faced multiple convictions for breaching gambling laws, including offering inducements and advertising prohibited offers.
Alan Eskander and his wife Suzy Eskander in 2022.Credit: Getty images
In 2019, SportChamps was convicted for an advertisement on its website that offered first-time deposit matching up to $50. The company was fined $2500. In 2023, the betting platform was convicted of multiple offences related to advertisements offering free bets, free entry into competitions, enhanced odds, and “enhanced free bets”. These advertisements were found on various social media platforms.
For these repeated offences, SportChamps has been fined a total of $40,000. It’s important to note that Alan Eskander himself has not been personally convicted of any breaches, only his business.
Jane Lin, the executive director of regulatory operations at Liquor and Gaming NSW, expressed concern over SportChamps’ multiple convictions and emphasized the need to protect people from gambling harm. She stated that offering inducements and advertising prohibited offers undermines the regulatory framework and will not be tolerated.
The maximum penalty for gambling advertising offences is a $110,000 fine for a company.
Alan Eskander and SportChamps were contacted for comment but did not respond by the deadline. SportChamps stands out from other Australian online gambling platforms due to its tournament approach. Punters compete against each other for a share of the winnings in tournaments with multiple legs. The platform aims to bring back the banter and allows punters to chat and brag about their successes.
About SportChamps
“Born from a dream to give punters a platform that combined their two specialties (no, not eating pizza and missionary position) – winning cash and talking trash, SportChamps has quickly become Australia’s Home of Tournament Betting,” the website says.
Last month, Liquor and Gaming NSW issued a warning to online bookies regarding their conduct targeting vulnerable consumers. The letter highlighted concerning behaviors such as offering sign-up offers to self-excluded individuals and cold calling customers to entice them to open an account. The letter also mentioned barriers to closing accounts and withdrawing funds, including account closure fees.
“Prohibitions on gambling inducements are an important harm minimization measure. There is no excuse for wagering companies to advertise inducements in this way,” said NSW Gaming and Racing Minister David Harris.
Conclusion
In conclusion, SportChamps, the betting platform founded by Alan Eskander, has been fined multiple times for violating NSW gambling laws. The company has been found guilty of offering inducements and advertising prohibited offers to attract new customers. These repeated convictions raise concerns about the operator’s compliance with regulations and its commitment to protecting consumers from gambling harm. Liquor and Gaming NSW will continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to such advertising practices.
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Quote from SportChamps Website:
“Born from a dream to give punters a platform that combined their two specialties (no, not eating pizza and missionary position) – winning cash and talking trash, SportChamps has quickly become Australia’s Home of Tournament Betting.”
Author’s Conclusion:
In conclusion, SportChamps’ repeated convictions for violating gambling laws raise concerns about the operator’s commitment to responsible gambling practices. The fines imposed reflect the seriousness of these offences, and it is crucial for the industry to adhere to regulations that protect consumers from gambling harm.
George Barham, an accomplished journalist and avid gambling enthusiast, serves as the esteemed Editor-in-Chief at fly-to-australia.com, Australia’s leading source for comprehensive gambling news and insights. With an unwavering passion for both the written word and the ever-evolving world of betting and gaming, George brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the helm of our editorial team.
