Tabcorp Hit with Penalty as ACMA Cracks Down on Self-Exclusion Violations

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has taken action against six more gaming operators. While the body is best known for tackling the invasive offshore gaming sector, this time, its regulatory action was directed toward licensed sports betting operators.

Six Operators Violated the Self-Exclusion Rules

In its official announcement, the ACMA confirmed that it recently concluded the investigations into six websites, namely Tabcorp, LightningBet, Betfocus, TempleBet, Picklebet, and BetChamps. The regulator discovered that the listed companies had failed to comply with Australia’s safer gaming rules by allowing self-excluded players to gamble. All violations in question occurred in 2024, according to the announcement.

For context, Australian operators are expected to prevent all users registered with the national self-exclusion register, BetStop, from accessing their platforms and placing wagers. Operators are also prohibited from targeting self-excluded players with ads and inducements.

However, the ACMA’s investigation discovered that the aforementioned websites had violated various rules associated with the broader self-exclusion regulations.

The facts of each investigation are different, but the breaches across the investigations included allowing registered individuals to open wagering accounts and to access wagering services, or marketing to registered individuals.

ACMA statement

The Regulator Took Action Against the Licensees

The ACMA’s investigation reached the conclusion that Tabcorp, LightningBet, Betfocus, TempleBet, Picklebet, and BetChamps did not have sufficient processes to identify and protect self-excluded players.

As a result, Betfocus, LightningBet and TempleBet were ordered to follow ACMA-issued remedial programs and onboard the services of independent auditors.

Tabcorp, on the other hand, was handed a penalty of AUD 112,680 (roughly $79K) due to the violations. The major Australian operator has also agreed to onboard the services of a third-party auditor to review its customer verification processes and train staff on complying with Australia’s self-exclusion regulations.

BetChamps, on the other hand, was only given a formal warning. The ACMA added that it is currently finalizing its enforcement action against Picklebet.

Operators Should Know the Rules by Now

Carolyn Lidgerwood, a member of the ACMA, commented on the recent violations, saying that they undermine the integrity of the local market since customers should be able to trust the sector and self-exclusion in particular.

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.

Carolyn Lidgerwood, ACMA member

Lidgerwood was displeased with the fact that these violations occurred since the current rules have been in place for over two years.