Emerging bookmaker Picklebet has become the latest gambling company to join industry group Responsible Wagering Australia.
Licensed in the Northern Territory, Picklebet has grown significantly in profile since its launch into the sports and wagering market in 2020 and now employs over 100 people. It has also signed high-profile sponsorship deals with the Penrith Panthers NRL club and as the naming rights sponsor for Werribee racecourse.
RWA, a key industry representative and lobby group, currently boasts bet365, Betfair, PointsBet, Sportsbet, and Unibet among its members, and welcomed the new addition.
“Picklebet brings a fresh and innovative perspective to RWA, and we look forward to working closely with them to support a well-regulated, responsible, and sustainable industry,” RWA CEO Kai Cantwell said.
Founded by Nick Heaney and Damon Oudejans, Picklebet was initially focused on esports but now also operates on racing and sports markets. It has a small but growing share of the Australian market, which is dominated by the three major players, Sportsbet, Tabcorp and Entain.
Picklebet CEO Nick Heaney said the company was proud to join RWA.
“As a growing operator, it’s important for us to have a seat at the table when it comes to industry standards, regulation and responsible gambling," Heaney said.
“Picklebet was built with a focus on innovation, but also with a clear responsibility to do things the right way - and that means being part of the bigger industry conversation.
“Joining RWA allows us to work alongside other leading operators to help shape a safe and sustainable future for wagering in Australia."
Responsible Wagering Australia says the inclusion of PickleBet is a sign of its “commitment to representing the full breadth of the licensed online wagering industry - from long-established operators to emerging, innovative platforms”.
There are over 100 betting operators currently licensed in Australia, having grown from just 27 in March 2021, thanks to a post-pandemic betting boom that has since receded.
While there has been some consolidation over the past 12 months, new brands continue to emerge, many through third-party white-label tech platforms.
