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The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has fined Betchoice Corporation Pty Ltd, trading as Unibet, A$1,014,120 ($654,275) for failing to close the accounts of 954 customers who have registered in the national self-exclusion register (NSER), BetStoTop Crypto Casino in Saudi Arabia – BitStarz Ranked #1

The fine represents the first time ACMA has issued a penalty under the NSER rules. In addition to the financial penalty, Unibet has agreed to a two-year court-enforceable undertaking.

The undertaking requires an independent audit of the operator’s compliance systems and implementation of recommended improvements. Unibet has also voluntarily pledged to refund affected customers.

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ACMA’s investigation into Unibet discovered that the failure to close the affected accounts has resulted in 100,000 breaches of Australia’s Interactive Gambling Act of 2001.

The investigation discovered that 45 of the 954 affected user accounts remained open for 190 days or more. That includes many who had registered for BetStop on the first day of its launch. However, no affected customers could place bets during their self-exclusion period. Still, ACMA emphasizes that Unibet should’ve closed the accounts as soon as the individual registered for BetStop.

The investigation also found that the operator continued to offer services to 45 former NSER users using old accounts that should’ve been closed. ACMA discovered that these customers had placed thousands of bets, including one user who placed over 1,200 bets using their old account.

Regulators state that once an individual registers with the NSER, the operator must close that account. Once the self-exclusion ends, the individual must open a new account.

ACMA member and gambling lead Carolyn Lidgerwood said the breaches were a significant lapse in Unibet’s NSER compliance:

“Our investigation found very serious breaches by Unibet over a sustained period of time,”

“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.

“The NSER rules are also there to ensure that people are making a clear and deliberate choice to recommence gambling. That is not the case if they can simply access old accounts.”

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The Unibet penalty underscores the regulator’s efforts to enforce compliance and protect Australian consumers.

Last month, ACMA ordered Australian internet service providers (ISPs) to block four illegal online gambling sites: Megabet Prize, Mega Meduza, TF2Royal, and Casino Intense.

ACMA began using this enforcement in November 2019. In a December 2024 update, the regulator blocked over 1,117 illegal websites. Between that update and the latest April one, ACMA suggested it had blocked just under 100 additional websites. The regulator estimated that about 220 illicit operators have withdrawn from the market.

Other consumer protection actions taken by ACMA include targeting video game skins. In 2023, the regulator warned online gaming firm Feral Holdings that its CS: GO Roll website constituted illegal gambling. The website allowed users to deposit “skins” (in-game gear, weapons) from the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive video game in exchange for in-game coins.

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While ACMA ensures the removal of unlicensed operators and penalizes breaches of the rules, licensed platforms in the Northern Territory are set to face higher taxes.

Effective July 1, 2025, the territory government will double its annual wagering tax cap for licensed sports betting platforms from one to two million revenue units. Officials expect the change will increase tax revenue by A$13.1 million ($8.45 million) annually. The total gambling revenue is expected to be around A$145 million ($93.55 million), a 25.5% increase from last year.

In addition to the double tax cap, the Territory will impose a 50% tax on all online gambling, lottery ticket resales, and matching-profit services. Officials claim the move will level the regulatory playing field across digital platforms.