In December 2014, Crown Resorts signed a deal with Matthew Tripp, which gave Crown Resorts control over Tripp's online betting platform, CrownBet, formerly known as BetEasy. In April 2016 CrownBet pleaded guilty to five counts of breaching laws by publishing illegal betting advertising that offered inducements for NSW residents to gamble. According to the NSW Department of Justice, CrownBet "sought to have the matters finalised without conviction in Downing Centre Local Court ... but Magistrate Joanne Keogh said convictions were necessary for general deterrence to others in the industry and to protect the vulnerable. CrownBet was convicted of the five offences and ordered to pay a total of $10,500 in fines and also ordered to pay ... legal costs of $10,000."