Betchoice, trading as Unibet, has paid a fine of over AU$1m after failing to close the accounts of more than 900 customers who registered with BetStop, Australia’s National Self-Exclusion Register (NSER).
More than 100,000 contraventions of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 were uncovered in an investigation by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) as a result of these failures.
45 of the accounts were open for 190 days or more, according the ACMA, including many who had registered to self-exclude from online and telephone betting on the first day of the NSER.
None of these self-excluded customers were able to place bets during their self-exclusion period. However, the accounts should have been closed.
Unibet 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 1,200 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.
“Our investigation found very serious breaches by Unibet over a sustained period of time,” said ACMA member and gambling lead Carolyn Lidgerwood.
“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.
“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 fine, the ACMA has accepted a two-year court-enforceable undertaking from Unibet.
