Dabble pays AU$1.07m over BetStop breaches
Australian wagering operator Dabble Sports has paid more than AU$1 million in penalties after failing to close accounts belonging to self-excluded gamblers and continuing to send messages to people registered with BetStop.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) imposed penalties totalling AU$1,069,200 after an investigation into Dabble’s compliance with Australia’s national online gambling self-exclusion scheme.
The regulator found Dabble failed to close 157 wagering accounts after the customers registered with BetStop.
Dabble also sent 165 self-excluded customers a combined 839 electronic messages through SMS, email and app push notifications.
A further 45 customers received more than 2,000 push notifications that did not contain required information about BetStop.
Australian wagering providers are required to close accounts belonging to people registered with BetStop as soon as practicable and stop sending those customers electronic gambling marketing.
ACMA member Carolyn Lidgerwood said the breaches were serious.
“People who register with BetStop have made a clear decision to exclude themselves from online wagering,” she said.
“Providers must respect that decision by closing their accounts promptly and ensuring they are not targeted with gambling promotions.
“These were serious breaches by Dabble. Wagering providers must have robust systems in place to protect people who have chosen to self-exclude.
“BetStop is an important consumer protection measure, but it only works if wagering companies follow the rules. The ACMA will take action where wagering providers fail to meet their obligations.”
Dabble has also entered a two-year court-enforceable undertaking requiring an independent review of its BetStop compliance systems and investment in any improvements recommended by the review.
ACMA can take the operator to court if it breaches the undertaking.
The enforcement action comes ahead of further changes to Australia’s self-exclusion regime from January 1, 2027, which ACMA said will substantially increase penalties for breaches of BetStop rules.
Dabble was launched in Australia in 2021 and has quickly earnt plaudits as an app-only sports betting operator, with the social aspect of the bookmaker, where you can share your bets and follow other punters a clear highlight.
