SYDNEY – The parent company of Ladbrokes Australia and Neds has entered into a court‑enforceable undertaking after regulators found more than 500 breaches of the country’s national gambling self‑exclusion system.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) said Entain Group Pty Ltd opened accounts for — and continued providing wagering services to — individuals registered with BetStop, the National Self‑Exclusion Register. Operators are required to close all accounts held by a self‑excluded customer “as soon as practicable.”
ACMA member Carolyn Lidgerwood said many of the violations stemmed from customers holding multiple accounts across Ladbrokes and Neds platforms that Entain failed to properly link.
“When someone signs up to BetStop, wagering companies must close all of that person’s accounts held within their services,” Lidgerwood said. “In this case, Entain’s systems did not adequately identify and link all wagering accounts held by those customers, including one account that remained open for more than a year after the customer had self‑excluded.”
The investigation also found instances in which new accounts were opened for individuals already registered with BetStop — a direct breach of national rules.
“When people register for self‑exclusion, there should be no way for them to open new accounts for licensed wagering services in Australia,” Lidgerwood said.
Regulators further determined that Entain failed to properly promote BetStop in customer emails and text messages, another requirement under the rules.
18‑Month Enforceable Undertaking Imposed
The ACMA accepted an 18‑month court‑enforceable undertaking requiring Entain to undergo an independent review of its compliance systems and implement all recommended improvements.
The agency did not issue an infringement notice, saying that option was not available in this case. However, failure to comply with the undertaking could result in court‑ordered financial penalties.
