ACMA Penalizes Four Operators for Violating Self-Exclusion Rules

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has cracked down on four operators for breaching regulations related to gambling self-exclusion. Buddybet, Ultrabet, VicBet, and Topbet found themselves in hot water for failing to comply with rules on BetStop, Australia’s National Self-Exclusion Register (NSER).

ACMA’s investigations revealed various breaches, including sending marketing material to self-excluded players and reopening accounts of users who had self-excluded. Buddybet has since exited the Australian market, while Ultrabet has committed to reviewing its compliance systems and processes to avoid further action.

VicBet and Topbet were also issued formal warnings for sending marketing material to self-excluded individuals. ACMA member Carolyn Lidgerwood emphasized the importance of operators respecting the decisions of self-excluded individuals and complying with the rules to avoid facing consequences.

This quadruple ruling follows ACMA’s recent penalty against Unibet for self-exclusion failures, further highlighting the regulator’s commitment to enforcing compliance in the online gambling industry.