Australia’s online gambling watchdog has fined sports betting operator Dabble Sports Pty Ltd more than AU$1 million (US$721,620) for gambling self-exclusion breaches.
In an early Wednesday announcement, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) said Dabble has paid AU$1,069,200 in penalties following an investigation that found the company breached online gambling self-exclusion rules by failing to close 157 wagering accounts after the account holders had registered with BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register.
The company also sent 165 self-excluded people a total of 839 electronic messages in the form of SMS, emails and app push notifications.
Dabble has, the regulator added, given a court-enforceable undertaking to guarantee its future compliance with those rules in future.
Under online gambling self-exclusion rules, wagering providers must close the wagering accounts of people registered with BetStop as soon as practicable and cease sending them any electronic marketing.
The ACMA said it also found Dabble sent 45 customers more than 2,000 push notifications without including information about BetStop, which is required under the gambling self-exclusion rules.
“People who register with BetStop have made a clear decision to exclude themselves from online wagering. Providers must respect that decision by closing their accounts promptly and ensuring they are not targeted with gambling promotions,” said ACMA member Carolyn Lidgerwood.
“These were serious breaches by Dabble. Wagering providers must have robust systems in place to protect people who have chosen to self-exclude.
“BetStop is an important consumer protection measure, but it only works if wagering companies follow the rules. The ACMA will take action where wagering providers fail to meet their obligations.”
The ACMA noted that new laws commencing on 1 January 2027 will further strengthen BetStop, including by substantially increasing the penalties for breaches of the rules.
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