Six Australian operators breach gambling self-exclusion rules

• ACMA concludes investigations into Tabcorp, LightningBet, Betfocus, TempleBet, Picklebet and BetChamps.
• Breaches included allowing self-excluded individuals to open accounts, access services and receive marketing.
• ACMA issues remedial directions, financial penalties, and formal warnings based on the severity of the breach.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has concluded six investigations into licensed wagering providers for breaches of self-exclusion rules designed to protect individuals registered with BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register.

The regulator issued a media communication on 29 January 2026 confirming the investigations found Tabcorp, LightningBet, Betfocus, TempleBet, Picklebet and BetChamps failed to comply with regulations preventing self-excluded individuals from accessing wagering services. All contraventions occurred in 2024.

Multiple breach types identified

Breach circumstances varied across the six investigations. Violations included allowing registered individuals to open wagering accounts, permitting access to wagering services, and marketing to self-excluded persons.

ACMA member Carolyn Lidgerwood said the breaches undermine self-exclusion 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,” Lidgerwood said.

“These rules have been in place for more than two years and wagering providers should be taking their responsibilities seriously. 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.”

System failures enabled violations

ACMA investigations identified that providers failed to ensure underlying systems and processes operated as intended. Companies did not adequately identify and protect individuals who had self-excluded from gambling services.

The findings suggest technical and procedural weaknesses rather than intentional circumvention of self-exclusion requirements. Providers lacked sufficient controls to prevent self-excluded individuals from creating accounts or accessing services through alternative methods.

Enforcement actions scaled to breach severity

ACMA deployed different enforcement tools based on investigation findings. The authority issued remedial directions to Betfocus, LightningBet and TempleBet requiring each provider to commission independent audits of their systems and implement resulting recommendations.

Remedial directions carry legal force under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. Failure to comply with a remedial direction constitutes an offence and can result in civil penalties.

Tabcorp Holdings paid a £112,680 penalty and entered a court-enforceable undertaking. The undertaking requires Tabcorp to commission a third-party review of customer verification processes and train staff on their obligations regarding the Register.

Courts can enforce such undertakings through the Federal Court, which has authority to make appropriate orders if companies fail to comply. BetChamps received a formal warning. ACMA is finalising enforcement action for Picklebet.

Future breaches may trigger court action

“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,” Lidgerwood said.

ACMA warned that future non-compliance by these companies may result in stronger enforcement action, potentially including Federal Court proceedings seeking civil penalties. The authority characterised current enforcement as corrective measures aimed at securing future compliance.

BetStop register established in 2024

BetStop launched as Australia’s centralised self-exclusion system for online and telephone wagering. The register enables individuals to exclude themselves from all participating licensed wagering providers through a single registration process.

Prior to BetStop, Australians needed to self-exclude separately with each wagering provider. The fragmented system created opportunities for self-excluded individuals to access gambling through providers where they had not registered exclusions.

The national register requires wagering providers to check customer details against the BetStop database before permitting account creation or wagering activity. Providers must also cease marketing to registered individuals.

The six concluded investigations represent a portion of ACMA’s broader compliance enforcement programme for online wagering regulations. The authority possesses powers to investigate, issue directions, accept enforceable undertakings and initiate court proceedings for serious or repeated violations.

Ongoing enforcement

The enforcement action forms part of ACMA’s broader campaign to strengthen gambling regulation and consumer protection across Australia. The regulator recently upheld a $100,000 fine against Okebet for operating without proper authorisation and failing to comply with Australian gambling laws.

Meanwhile, the Australian gambling sector is preparing for the largest anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing overhaul in a decade, which will impose stricter compliance requirements on licensed operators.

Authorities face mounting challenges as research reveals Australia’s illegal offshore gambling market has doubled to AU$3.9 billion, representing lost revenue and increased harm risks for Australian bettors accessing unregulated services.

In response to the growing threat, ACMA has blacklisted nine illegal gambling sites in recent months, directing internet service providers to block access as part of ongoing efforts to protect Australian consumers and maintain the integrity of the regulated market.