Sportsbet Spends $19 Million Extra on Australian Marketing Efforts
Author:
Megan Butler
In preparation for a gambling advertising crackdown in Australia, Sportsbet have unloaded their budget and are blitzing Australia with millions of dollars of ads. The move has angered anti-gambling politicians and lobbyists in Australia who claim the decision is completely reckless. Understandably, the reaction to Sportsbet’s marketing strategy has been mixed, but given how competitive the sports betting market in Australia has become in the last 12 months, it’s understandable that the company are willing to splash the cash to defend their market leading position.
Sportsbet have been plowing their remaining budget for the year into rapid marketing campaigns across Australia – causing some intense backlash against their objectives and methods of operating.
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To put some numbers around the competitiveness of the Australian betting market, it’s become clear that the market’s total turnover is over $50 billion in size. This huge pot of gold has attracted the gambling industry’s most motivated and well-capitalized companies. In those conditions it makes sense that the company would want to make a business decision that could lead to enhanced profits.
With the incoming ban on sports betting advertising in Australia, there appears to be a nominal effort being made by Sportsbet to increase its chances of capturing market share with budget allocation already earmarked for marketing initiatives in Australia. The Dublin-based company, due to Flutter being its parent company, is being criticized for these actions, with some calling for the bookmaker to lose its license in Australia.
The gambling industry is making inroads on efforts to water down the incoming legislation. Lobbying politicians to implement a staggered approach to removing advertisements for gambling, rather than a complete ban. The argument is that the gambling industry will respond to community concerns by toning down its advertisements but will still be able to make significant ads that serve as a vital partnership for sport and media companies.
The Onslaught of Advertising in Australia
In a bid to retain their market leadership, Sportsbet has unleashed a massive advertising campaign across Australia. The decision has sparked outrage among anti-gambling politicians and activists, who regard the move as wholly irresponsible. While critics denounce the strategy, some industry insiders see it as a rational response to an increasingly competitive market that boasts an annual turnover exceeding $50 billion.
With an imminent ban on sports betting advertising looming, the Dublin-based company has been employing an aggressive marketing strategy. The aim is to bolster its chances of capturing market share with funding that had already been allocated for Australian marketing initiatives. These actions have led to widespread criticism and calls for the bookmaker to be stripped of its Australian license.
Lobbyists from the gambling industry are actively seeking to dilute the impending legislation. They advocate a gradual reduction in advertising rather than a total ban. By easing back on advertisements while maintaining significant ads, they argue that the industry can address public concerns while sustaining crucial partnerships with sports and media companies.
Financial Repercussions and Market Dynamics
Sportsbet’s substantial uptick in marketing expenditure has contributed to a significant 27% loss in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Coupled with changes to point-of-consumption taxes, the financial impact on the business has been marked. Nevertheless, parent company Flutter has reported expectations of continued growth in Australia’s sports betting market.
The development of new products such as the “same-game multi” has been identified as a driving force behind Sportsbet’s robust growth. An expansion of this feature into new arenas like the NRL, along with the enhancement of social betting products, exemplifies the company’s innovation. With a strong heritage in leveraging scale and product expertise, confidence remains high regarding the future trajectory of the Australian business.
However, concerns persist about the sustainability of such aggressive marketing strategies. With regulatory changes on the horizon and increasing public scrutiny, the financial and reputational risks for Sportsbet and other betting companies may escalate. The balance between profit-driven imperatives and responsible advertising will continue to be a contentious issue in the industry.
