According to a parliamentary inquiry response tabled by the company, volunteers from the Terang Racing Club distributed the marketing materials during an April running relay without corporate authorization or knowledge.
Parliamentary Inquiry and Senate Apology Details
The controversy emerged after a children’s running relay at the Terang Racing Club was broadcast live on Racing.com in April. Winning teams in the relay were slated to receive $1,000 from Bet365, designated for donation to a local sports club. However, television viewers watched as participants wearing caps and bibs emblazoned with the Bet365 logo competed on the track. During the broadcast, the host noted that the average age of one competing team appeared to be roughly 13 or 14 years old.
An attending parent lodged a formal objection after observing minors draped in gambling industry apparel. That complaint reached ACT independent senator David Pocock, who formally raised the incident during a federal parliamentary inquiry. In its official response to the Senate, Bet365 stated it was “shocked and embarrassed” to discover its branding had been deployed on minors. The company asserted that it has never authorized or caused minors to wear its marketing materials and maintains strict internal protocols regarding legal and regulatory responsibilities.
Did you know? Bet365 explicitly placed the responsibility for the wardrobe decision on local volunteers from the Terang Racing Club, which was contacted for public comment following the Senate disclosure.
Broader Regulatory Scrutiny on Corporate Sponsorships
While Bet365 maintained in its parliamentary filing that the distribution of apparel violated its operational standards, the incident has amplified legislative debate surrounding corporate oversight of grassroots volunteers and third-party partners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Bet365 apologize to the Senate?
Bet365 apologized after a parliamentary inquiry raised concerns that children participating in an April running relay at the Terang Racing Club were photographed and broadcast wearing company-branded bibs and caps.
Who distributed the Bet365 clothing to the children?
According to Bet365’s submission to the inquiry, volunteers from the Terang Racing Club made the decision to dress the participating children in the branded apparel without corporate awareness.
How was the incident brought to light?
A parent attending the Terang racecourse objected to children wearing gambling industry apparel and reported the matter to ACT independent senator David Pocock, who subsequently raised it during the parliamentary inquiry.
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