Six wagering providers breach gambling self-exclusion rules, ACMA says
A number of licensed wagering providers are said to have breached self-exclusion rules, according to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
The independent commonwealth statutory authority, in Australia, regulates communications and media services in the country and it has just announced it has carried out a number of investigations.
The ACMA says investigations found Tabcorp, LightningBet, Betfocus, TempleBet, Picklebet, and BetChamps “all failed to comply with rules that protect people who registered with BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register.”
The ACMA has found six wagering providers in breach of gambling self‑exclusion rules for failing to adequately identify and protect people who had self‑excluded.
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— ACMA (@acmadotgov) January 29, 2026
They confirm that the facts of each investigation are different, but the alleged breaches across them included allowing registered individuals to open wagering accounts and to access wagering services, or marketing to registered individuals.
ACMA provides insight into outcome of investigations into providers
ACMA member Carolyn Lidgerwood said in a press release that these breaches undermine the protections from gambling harm that self-exclusion offers: “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.
“These rules have been in place for more than two years and wagering providers should be taking their responsibilities seriously.” She continued to explain how people who self-exclude themselves from online and telephone gambling trust that the system can protect them from gambling harm.
The authority states the investigations identified that the providers did not ensure that their underlying systems and processes were operating as intended and failed to adequately identify and protect people who had self-excluded. They say a number of enforcement tools have been used following the findings.
To Betfocus, LightningBet, and TempleBet, remedial directions have been issued, meaning the providers will be required by law to commission an independent audit of their systems and implement any resulting recommendations. The ACMA says failure to comply is an offense and can result in civil penalties.
Tabcorp Holdings has paid a penalty of $112,680 and has agreed to enter into a court-enforceable undertaking which requires the company to commission a third-party review of its customer verification processes and train staff on their obligations around the Register.
BetChamps was given a formal warning and the ACMA is currently finalising enforcement action for Picklebet.
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