The Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission (NTRWC) has fined bookmaker Bet Right AUD $13,430 (approximately USD $8,700) for failing to comply with responsible gambling obligations designed to protect vulnerable consumers.
Failure to Complete Intervention
The case dates back to 2022, when Bet Right initiated but failed to complete an intervention for an at-risk customer. According to regulators, the operator sent an email that went unnoticed in the customer’s junk folder and made no further attempt to follow up through other channels.
The lapse triggered a regulatory review and, three years later, resulted in the financial penalty.
Consumer Complaint Rejected
The customer at the center of the case also sought reimbursement of gambling losses. However, the NTRWC dismissed the claim, ruling it without merit.
The matter gained wider attention after being featured in ABC’s Four Corners investigative program, which criticized regulators and lawmakers for being too close to the gambling industry and for failing to impose sufficiently robust safeguards.
Broader Context
Australia has one of the highest gambling participation rates in the world. Despite this, penalties against operators are often described as “weak” or “symbolic”, with critics arguing that fines remain too small to drive meaningful change in industry practices.
