Betting Giants Breach Rules

Entain Group Pty Ltd, the parent company overseeing popular wagering services Ladbrokes AU and Neds AU, is now under a court-enforceable undertaking after an investigation by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) revealed significant breaches of national self-exclusion rules. The inquiry uncovered over 500 violations where Entain serviced accounts for individuals registered with BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register™, which mandates the closure of such accounts.

ACMA’s investigation highlighted Entain’s failure to effectively identify and manage accounts belonging to self-excluded individuals, with some accounts remaining active more than a year after exclusion. Carolyn Lidgerwood, an ACMA member, emphasized the severity of these breaches, noting that the firm’s systems inadequately linked and managed multiple accounts across its services. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that Entain did not sufficiently promote BetStop in its customer communications, a requirement under the national rules.

As part of the resolution, ACMA has not issued an infringement notice but accepted an 18-month enforceable undertaking from Entain. This commitment requires an independent review of Entain’s compliance systems, followed by the implementation of any recommended improvements to prevent future breaches. Failure to adhere to this undertaking could lead to substantial court-ordered financial penalties, underscoring the seriousness with which these breaches are treated.