ACMA raps four operators for self-exclusion breaches
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has ruled that operators Buddybet, Ultrabet, VicBet and Topbet breached regulations on gambling self-exclusion in the country.
According to ACMA, the four operators failed to comply with rules on BetStop, Australia’s National Self-Exclusion Register (NSER). Its findings followed separate investigations into each of the operators.
With Buddybet, ACMA said the operator failed to close wagering accounts for people on the NSER and sent content marketing to them. Buddybet has since exited the Australian market.
As for Ultrabet, the regulator found the brand reopened the account of a user at the end of their self-exclusion period and allowed that person to bet with that same account. Ultrabet also sent marketing to another player who had self-excluded.
NSER rules say that when a consumer registers with BetStop, operators must close their account as soon as practicable. These accounts most not be reopened, even after a player completes their self-exclusion period. Operators should also not send self-excluded people electronic marketing such as emails or texts.
As Buddybet has exited the market, it will face no further action. However, with Ultrabet, a court-enforceable undertaking commits the operator to review its compliance systems and processes and implement improvements.
ACMA flags more marketing breaches
ACMA also carried out investigations into VicBet and Topbet, both of which operate online. It found both brands contravened NSER rules by sending marketing material to a self-excluded person.
Both VicBet and Topbet were issued with a formal warning over the breaches.
“Wagering providers should know their obligations under the rules and know that we are enforcing them,” ACMA member Carolyn Lidgerwood said. “The rules about account closure must be complied with.
“People on the NSER have made a conscious effort to exclude themselves from online gambling services. Sending gambling marketing messages to people who are trying to stop gambling is unacceptable.
“Betting services must have systems in place that respect the decisions of people to self-exclude, or face further consequences.”
The quadruple ruling comes after ACMA last month also penalised Unibet over self-exclusion failures. Unibet was ordered to pay AU$1 million (US$649,170) over more than 100,000 contraventions by Unibet of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
ACMA said Unibet failed to close 954 user accounts in a timely manner after they registered with the NSER.