ACMA raps 4 betting operators for breaching self-exclusion rules
Investigations found that the companies sent marketing material to self-excluded people.
Australia.- The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has said that four betting operators, Buddybet, Ultrabet, VicBet, and Topbet, breached rules by sending marketing material to people who registered with BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register (NSER).
According to ACMA, Buddybet failed to close the accounts of people on the NSER and continued to send them marketing materials. The company has since left the Australian market.
Meanwhile, Ultrabet reopened an account for someone who had reached the end of their self-exclusion period, allowing them to bet again. It sent marketing materials to another person who had previously self-excluded. It has since made a court-enforceable undertaking to review and improve its compliance systems.
VicBet and Topbet each received a formal warning for violating NSER marketing rules by sending marketing to self-excluded people.
According to the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA rules), once someone registers with the NSER, betting providers must close their account as soon as possible. If the person’s self-exclusion period ends and they wish to bet again, they must open a new account instead of using the old one. Providers must also stop sending marketing materials, such as emails or texts, to self-excluded people.
ACMA member and gambling lead Carolyn Lidgerwood said: “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.
“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.”
