‘Winning ticket in the gob’: Betting agency in hot water over racy ads
Ryman Racing’s sole director, Sydney betting industry veteran Mark Ryman, said the ads had been posted by a young employee who was dismissed immediately.
“A young guy went too far, went rogue with what he posted,” he said. “I don’t think it was funny but is it indecent? No. It was a harmless mistake. As soon as they told us, we took it straight down.”
Ryman argued the Holmes photo was already in the public domain and the ads had not been seen widely – the promotion with the image of Holmes had 300 laughing emojis and likes below it and 83 comments – “yet they’re going on like it was splashed on the front page of the Herald.”
But he said his bigger concern was the prospect of a fine of up to $110,000, the maximum financial sanction for a corporation. The maximum fine for an individual is $11,000.
“I’m a sole trader,” the 62-year-old said. “I’m not Tabcorp, I’m not Sportsbet, I’m not Bet365. I’d have to shut the business if they fined me [as a corporation].”
Colossalbet specialises in horse racing, offering personalised bets, but also has extensive markets for other sports and events such as elections. It was established during the COVID pandemic in 2021 as shutdowns reduced the capacity for gambling at racetracks and pubs and led to a spike in online betting.
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While guilty pleas were entered on five counts in relation to the Punthub ads, seven other charges were withdrawn at a court appearance last week.
A sentencing hearing has been listed for February 26.
Ryman said Colossalbet did not make money, with profits soaked up by the point of consumption tax and race field fees amid fierce competition from the major sports betting agencies.
Approached for comment, a spokesperson for Liquor and Gaming NSW said: “As this matter is currently before the courts, we are unable to comment at this time.”
The federal government has devised reforms of the gambling advertising landscape that would prohibit the publication of betting companies promoting their businesses on social media and the internet, as well as capping the number of ads permitted on television and radio.
The proposed clampdown has faced opposition from corporate bookmakers, media organisations and the country’s two major football codes, the NRL and the AFL, and has been put on hold until after the federal election, which must take place on or before May 17.
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