Unibet has been fined AUD $1,014,120 (approximately USD $650,000) for failing to comply with Australia’s gambling self-exclusion regulations.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) found that Unibet did not close the accounts of 954 customers who had registered with BetStop—the National Self-Exclusion Register (NSER). This resulted in more than 100,000 breaches of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
Although no bets were placed and no marketing messages were sent during the self-exclusion periods, the accounts remained active well beyond the required closure timeframe. In 45 cases, accounts stayed open for more than 190 days—even for users who signed up on BetStop’s first day.
Additionally, Unibet allowed 45 customers to resume gambling after their self-exclusion ended by reusing old accounts that should have been closed. One individual placed more than 1,200 bets in this way.
IGA rules mandate that gambling accounts must be promptly closed once someone registers with the NSER. After the self-exclusion period ends, users are supposed to create new accounts if they wish to return—not reactivate old ones.
Carolyn Lidgerwood, ACMA member and gambling lead said:
Our investigation found very serious breaches by Unibet over a sustained period. Taking up to 190 days to close accounts is unacceptable and undermines customers’ decisions to seek help in stopping gambling.
In addition to the fine—the first ever imposed for breaches of the NSER—Unibet has agreed to a two-year, court-enforceable undertaking. This includes a full independent review of its compliance systems and the implementation of any necessary improvements.
Unibet has also voluntarily refunded affected users whose accounts were improperly left accessible.
