Australia
ACMA Imposes $1 Million Fine on Unibet
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has imposed a fine of $1,014,120 on Betchoice Corporation Pty Ltd, trading as Unibet, for failing to close the accounts of 954 of its customers who had registered with BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register (NSER).
An ACMA investigation found more than 100,000 contraventions by Unibet of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA rules) for not closing the accounts of 954 customers as soon as practicable after they had registered on the NSER.
The investigation found that 45 of these customer accounts remained open for 190 days or more, including many who had registered to self-exclude from online and telephone betting on the first day of the NSER. While none of these self-excluded customers were able to place bets during their self-exclusion period, the accounts should have been closed.
The company also provided wagering services to 45 customers after they ceased to be registered with the NSER, using old accounts that should have been closed. The ACMA found evidence that these customers were able to place thousands of bets through these accounts after their NSER registration ended, including one customer who placed more than 1200 bets on their old account.
Under the IGA rules, once an individual registers with the NSER, wagering service providers must close that person’s account as soon as practicable, with additional contraventions for each day the account remains open. If the person’s self-exclusion ends and they choose to place bets again, they must be required to open a new account rather than being allowed to log into their old account.
ACMA member and gambling lead Carolyn Lidgerwood said this was a significant lapse in Unibet’s NSER compliance processes.
“Our investigation found very serious breaches by Unibet over a sustained period of time,” Ms Lidgerwood said.
“Taking in some cases 190 days to close accounts is clearly unacceptable and does not reflect the decisions made by Unibet customers to seek support to help them not gamble.
“The NSER rules are also there to ensure that people are making a clear and deliberate choice to recommence gambling. That is not the case if they can simply access old accounts.
“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,” she said.
In addition to the first financial penalty imposed by the ACMA for breaches of NSER rules, the ACMA has accepted a 2-year court-enforceable undertaking from Unibet. The undertaking commits Unibet to a comprehensive independent review of its compliance systems and processes and the implementation of recommended improvements.
Unibet has also voluntarily undertaken to issue refunds to affected customers who were able to access accounts that should have been closed. The ACMA considers these important commitments from Unibet, directed at ensuring future compliance.
The post ACMA Imposes $1 Million Fine on Unibet appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The organisers of Regulating the Game have announced the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) as a confirmed judge for the inaugural RTG Global Awards, to be presented at the Regulating the Game 2026 Gala Dinner on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Sydney.
The RTG Global Awards celebrate excellence in leadership, innovation and impact across community impact, compliance, safer gambling, industry integrity and financial crime risk management. The Awards form part of the sixth edition of Regulating the Game, an international conference committed to enhancing sector integrity, regulatory capability and ethical leadership.
Founded in 2005, IBIA is the leading global voice on integrity for the licensed betting industry. It is a not-for-profit association whose members include many of the world’s largest regulated betting operators, active across six continents. IBIA plays a crucial role in safeguarding sport and the betting industry from corruption, operating a world-leading monitoring and alert platform and collaborating with regulators and sports governing bodies around the world.
Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA, joins the RTG Global Awards judging panel, bringing deep sector expertise and a steadfast commitment to integrity and responsible betting practices.
He said: “I am honoured to join the judging panel for the RTG Global Awards. At IBIA, we are dedicated to upholding integrity and transparency across the global betting landscape. These Awards spotlight the organisations and individuals working to advance ethical conduct and effective regulation, and we are proud to support that mission.”
Paul Newson, Principal at Vanguard Overwatch and founder of Regulating the Game, welcomed the announcement: “Khalid’s appointment and IBIA’s involvement reflect the global calibre and integrity-centred mission of the Awards. Their leadership in monitoring and protecting sport from betting-related corruption aligns perfectly with our vision to champion excellence and elevate standards across the sector.”
• The RTG Global Awards will feature six categories:
• Leadership Voice – for principled, reform-focused leadership contributing to sector uplift
• Safer Gambling Champion – for operators or organisations demonstrating tangible harm minimisation outcomes
• Compliance Excellence – recognising uplift in AML, risk culture, or regulatory compliance
• RegTech Solution of the Year – celebrating innovative technologies improving sector integrity and compliance
• Community Impact Initiative – for initiatives delivering measurable community benefit
• Emerging Leader – Safer Gambling or Compliance – spotlighting rising talent (under 40) making meaningful contributions.
Key Dates:
• Nominations Open: Tuesday, July 1, 2025
• Nominations Close: Friday, December 12, 2025
• Finalists Announced: Monday, February, 2 2026
• Awards Presented: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at the Regulating the Game Gala Dinner.
Nominations will open on July 1, 2025, with further details and submission guidelines available at: www.regulatingthegame.com/global-awards-2026.
The post IBIA Joins the Judging Panel for Inaugural RTG Global Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has found four wagering service providers – Buddybet, Ultrabet, VicBet and Topbet – breached rules that protect people who registered with BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register (NSER).
An ACMA investigation found Buddybet failed to close wagering accounts for people on the NSER and sent marketing to them. The company has since exited the Australian market.
A separate ACMA investigation found Ultrabet reopened the account of someone at the end of their self-exclusion period and allowed that person to bet with that account. Ultrabet also caused marketing to be sent to another self-excluded person.
Under the NSER rules, once an individual registers with the NSER, wagering service providers must close that person’s account as soon as practicable. Accounts must not be reopened or reinstated once a person ceases to be registered with the NSER.
Instead, people at the end of their self-exclusion period who want to recommence gambling need to make a clear and deliberate choice to do so. Providers must also cease sending self-excluded people any electronic marketing such as emails or texts.
The ACMA has accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from Ultrabet, which commits the company to review its compliance systems and processes and implement improvements.
Following two other separate investigations, online bookmakers VicBet and Topbet have each been issued with a formal warning after the ACMA found they contravened the NSER marketing rules. The ACMA found each company had sent marketing material to a self-excluded person.
Authority member Carolyn Lidgerwood said breaches of the NSER rules can lead to significant harm.
“Wagering providers should know their obligations under the rules and know that we are enforcing them. The rules about account closure must be complied with,” Ms Lidgerwood said.
“People on the NSER have made a conscious effort to exclude themselves from online gambling services. Sending gambling marketing messages to people who are trying to stop gambling is unacceptable. Betting services must have systems in place that respect the decisions of people to self-exclude, or face further consequences.”
The post ACMA: Four Betting Services Breach Gambling Self-Exclusion Rules appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Regulating the Game 2026 has welcomed its first joint sponsors, CherryHub and Ebet, two Australian companies driving transformation across the gaming and hospitality sectors.
Now in its sixth edition, Regulating the Game has cemented its reputation as the premier gambling law and regulation conference. Returning to Sydney in March 2026, the event will again bring together global regulators, industry pioneers and compliance professionals for three dynamic days of policy and sector dialogue, strategic insights and capability building.
The programme will span high-impact keynotes and panel sessions addressing regulatory challenges, financial crime and public policy reform; innovation showcases exploring AI, RegTech and emerging technology; and deep dives into safer gambling, risk management and compliance uplift.
With expert-led masterclasses and the return of Pitch!, now hosted at the iconic Yallamundi Rooms at the Sydney Opera House, Regulating the Game 2026 will “continue to shape the future of not only effective and leading-edge gambling regulation, but also a forward-thinking, innovative, and socially responsible industry,” the organisers noted.
Frank Makryllos, Managing Director and CEO of Ebet, said: “Regulating the Game plays a critical role in fostering the collaboration and thought leadership our industry needs. As suppliers, Ebet and Cherry Hub are committed to equipping venues with practical tools to manage risk, support safer gambling practices, and meet evolving regulatory expectations, including AML/CTF and financial crime compliance.”
Paul Newson, Principal at Vanguard Overwatch and founder of Regulating the Game, said: “CherryHub and Ebet represent the innovation and integrity we seek to champion through Regulating the Game. Their support reflects a strong alignment with our mission to promote evidence-led policy, ethical leadership, and safer gambling outcomes.”
With a refreshed agenda, an expanded Exhibition Showcase, and the return of the Pitch! Challenge, Regulating the Game 2026 is “set to raise the bar once again, fostering critical dialogue, driving collaboration, and advancing not only regulatory excellence but also a vibrant, innovative, and ethically led industry,” the organisers concluded.
The post Regulating the Game 2026 Announces CherryHub and Ebet as RegTech Sponsors appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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