Unibet fined $1m in Australia for self-exclusion failures
Image credit: Unibet Unibet, operated by Betchoice Corporation Pty Ltd, has been hit with a AUD$1,014,120 (~£478,000) penalty by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for serious breaches of the country’s gambling self-exclusion rules. The fine marks one of the largest enforcement actions against an online betting operator in Australia, underscoring the regulator’s commitment … Continued The post Unibet fined $1m in Australia for self-exclusion failures appeared first on Esports Insider.
Unibet, operated by Betchoice Corporation Pty Ltd, has been hit with a AUD$1,014,120 (~£478,000) penalty by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for serious breaches of the country’s gambling self-exclusion rules.
The fine marks one of the largest enforcement actions against an online betting operator in Australia, underscoring the regulator’s commitment to upholding player protection standards.
The ACMA investigation found that Unibet failed to close the accounts of 954 customers who had registered with BetStop, Australia’s National Self-Exclusion Register.
Under Australian law, gambling operators are required to promptly close the accounts of individuals who self-exclude via BetStop, ensuring they cannot place bets or receive gambling marketing materials.
The regulator determined that Unibet continued to allow these customers to access betting accounts, a direct violation of the Interactive Gambling Act.
The $1m penalty reflects the scale of the breach and the importance of self-exclusion as a harm minimisation tool.
BetStop is designed to allow individuals to voluntarily exclude themselves from all licensed online wagering services in Australia for a chosen period, ranging from three months to a lifetime.
ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin emphasised that self-exclusion is a critical consumer protection measure and that all operators must comply fully with their obligations.
She said: “We recognise that no bets were made from these Unibet accounts or marketing sent while customers were self-excluded.
“However, this outcome puts the industry on notice that they must comply with the rules or face potential financial penalties and other actions available to the ACMA under the IGA,”
The regulator has made clear that it will continue to monitor and enforce compliance, with further penalties possible for future breaches. This case serves as a warning to all licensed gambling operators in Australia about the consequences of failing to adhere to self-exclusion protocols.
It also highlights the increasing scrutiny on responsible gambling practices as regulators look to strengthen consumer protections in the online betting sector.
Unibet has paid the penalty in full and is expected to review its compliance processes to prevent similar breaches in the future. The ACMA continues to encourage anyone experiencing gambling harm to utilize self-exclusion tools like BetStop and to seek support services as needed.
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