ACMA warns Tabcorp over illegal online in-play bets

The ACMA has issued a formal warning to Tabcorp for accepting 37 online in-play bets in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

Australia.- Tabcorp, Australia’s largest gambling company, has been warned by The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) after it was found to have accepted illegal online in-play bets on a United States college basketball game.

After receiving a complaint, the regulator discovered that Tabcorp accepted 37 illegal bets on 3 January 2021. Fiona Cameron, a member of ACMA, said it’s the first time the ACMA has taken action against an operator for an infringement of online in-play betting rules.

She said: “These rules have been in place for many years and Tabcorp has had more than enough time to put systems in place to ensure that in-play betting is not offered on local or international sports.”

Tabcorp admitted it failed to close betting in time due to incorrect match information from a third-party provider, followed by a technical error by Tabcorp. Upon realising the mistake Tabcorp paid out winning bets and refunded losing bets, with one being refunded only after the ACMA commenced its investigation.

Cameron said: “The industry is now on notice that it must have robust systems in place to prevent in-play bets and that the ACMA will investigate evidence of non-compliance with these important consumer safeguards.

“If we find breaches of the rules caused by genuine mistakes, in any enforcement response we will take into account whether an operator has voided rather than paid out illegal winning bets.”

ACMA has recently requested local internet services providers block two illegal offshore lottery websites. The two sites will be the first lottery sites blocked in Australia.

Investigations revealed the websites offered tickets for major overseas online lotteries and were not licenced in Australia, which is prohibited under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. The two sites are We Love Lotto and Red Fox Lotto.