The Australian communications watchdog has taken action against three online gaming licensees for breaching self-exclusion rules.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) said Ultrabet reopened the account of a player at the end of their self-exclusion period and sent marketing to them, This, it said, contravened rules which state that players who want to sign up with an operator again must make a “clear and deliberate choice” to do so.
The company, which has been ordered to review its compliance systems and processes, also sent marketing to another self-excluded person.
VicBet and TopBet have both been issued with a formal warning after sending gambling marketing to a self-excluded person.
A fourth operator, Buddybet, failed to close wagering accounts for people on the BetStop, the national self-exclusion register (NSER), and has left the Australian gaming market.
“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,” said ACMA member Carolyn Lidgerwood.
“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.”
