6 Australian wagering providers breached gambling self-exclusion rules, ACMA finds

The regulator says Tabcorp, LightningBet, Betfocus, TempleBet, Picklebet and BetChamps failed to protect self-excluded customers.

Australia.- The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has announced that six licensed wagering providers breached the country’s national self-exclusion rules after concluding investigations into conduct during 2024. It found that Tabcorp, LightningBet, Betfocus, TempleBet, Picklebet and BetChamps did not comply with obligations to prevent access or marketing to players registered with BetStop.

The breaches varied across the operators, from self-excluded customers being allowed to open wagering accounts or access wagering services to targeted with marketing despite being registered on the BetStop list.

Tabcorp Holdings has been fined AU$112,680 (US$79,469) and has agreed to a court-enforceable undertaking to review and improve its customer verification processes and staff training. Betfocus, LightningBet and TempleBet must undergo independent system audits, with operators obligated to implement the resulting recommendations. BetChamps received a formal warning. Action for Picklebet has yet to be confirmed.

ACMA member Carolyn Lidgerwood said the breaches undermined BetStop’s protections. “The national self-exclusion register is designed to help people who are trying to avoid gambling services and stop gambling, but self-exclusion only works if wagering providers follow the rules,” she said.

“When people decide to self-exclude from online and telephone gambling, they trust the system to protect them from gambling harm. These investigations have found that these companies broke that trust and let people down,” she added.

“All licensed wagering providers need to be aware that the ACMA is investigating compliance and enforcing the rules. Gambling companies must have effective systems in place to ensure self-excluded people cannot gamble with them.”

All breaches were found to have occurred in 2024. ACMA warned that future non-compliance could lead to stronger enforcement measures, including Federal Court action to seek civil penalties.

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The regulator says Tabcorp, LightningBet, Betfocus, TempleBet, Picklebet and BetChamps failed to protect self-excluded customers. Australia.- The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has announced that six licensed wagering providers breached the country’s national self-exclusion rules after concluding investigations into conduct during 2024. It found that Tabcorp, LightningBet, Betfocus, TempleBet, Picklebet and BetChamps did not…