Unibet Faces $1 Million Penalty for Violating Australian Self-Exclusion Regulations
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has imposed a hefty AU$1 million (approximately €568,198 or US$643,139) fine on Unibet, a brand owned by Kindred, for flouting self-exclusion regulations designed to protect vulnerable gamblers.
The ACMA’s investigation unveiled over 100,000 violations related to the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) by Betchoice Corporation, which operates under the Unibet name. A key issue revealed was the failure to promptly close 954 user accounts of individuals who had registered on the National Self-Exclusion Register (NSER).
According to the IGA stipulations, licensed gambling operators must act swiftly to close accounts of those opting for self-exclusion. If these individuals wish to return to gambling after their self-imposed break, they are required to create a new account.
Key Missteps by Unibet
ACMA’s findings indicate that 45 accounts remained accessible for more than 190 days, including several belonging to customers who chose to self-exclude on the very day the NSER became operational. While these consumers were unable to gamble during their self-exclusion periods, the investigation revealed that once deregistered from the NSER, they were permitted to wager using outdated accounts that should have been officially closed. Notably, one individual placed over 1,200 bets during this period.
As a result, the ACMA has not only issued this significant penalty but has also mandated that Unibet undergo a two-year court-enforceable review of its compliance systems, ensuring recommendations for improvement are implemented. In a gesture of goodwill, Unibet plans to issue refunds to customers who accessed these improperly maintained accounts.
ACMA’s Firm Stance on Compliance
Carolyn Lidgerwood, a member of the ACMA and the authority’s gambling sector lead, described Unibet’s breaches as “serious” and emphasized that this incident should act as a wake-up call for other operators.
“Our investigation revealed sustained and significant lapses by Unibet,” Lidgerwood stated. “The NSER rules are fundamental in guaranteeing that individuals are making informed, voluntary decisions about resuming gambling. This cannot be ensured if they can easily access old accounts.”
Although the investigation confirmed that no gambling activity occurred on the affected accounts during the self-exclusion period, this incident underscores the importance of regulatory compliance. The ACMA reiterated that failure to adhere to established rules could lead to severe financial repercussions and other enforcement actions under the IGA, signaling a strong warning for the entire industry to maintain vigilance in their operational practices.