Tabcorp Penalized for Breaching Australia’s Interactive Gambling Act by Accepting In-Play Bets
Australian gambling operator Tabcorp has been fined AU$262,920 ($171,647) for violating the country’s Interactive Gambling Act 2001, after accepting in-play sports bets online. An investigation discovered that, between April and October 2023, Tabcorp took 854 in-play bets across 69 tennis matches, an action that directly contravenes Australia’s stringent prohibition on in-play betting.
Tabcorp Faces $171,647 Fine
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has imposed strict restrictions on in-play betting in Australia, aiming to mitigate the potential harms associated with real-time betting. The authority’s goal is to limit betting frequency and accessibility during live events to reduce gambling risks.
Carolyn Lidgerwood, ACMA member, elaborated on this policy’s intent, explaining, “In-play betting increases access to gambling opportunities and exacerbates the risks of gambling harm, as people can place bets with high frequency on multiple outcomes during sporting events.”
Lidgerwood highlighted the growth of online sports betting and stressed the importance of robust systems to prevent illegal in-play bets. “There has been significant growth in online sports betting in recent years, and it’s crucial for all online wagering services to have systems in place to ensure that illegal in-play bets are not accepted,” she added.
Technical Glitch Cited as the Cause of Violation
In response to the breach, Tabcorp attributed the violation to a technical malfunction within its betting system. According to Tabcorp, this system issue emerged in April 2023 and persisted undetected until October. The company assured the ACMA that steps were taken to resolve the error and prevent future violations.
However, Lidgerwood expressed skepticism about this explanation, stating, “Tabcorp is a major wagering operator, and it is concerning that it took some six months for the system error to be identified and fixed.”
To address ACMA’s concerns, Tabcorp has introduced new controls and additional risk-mitigation protocols to ensure compliance with Australia’s gambling laws. ACMA noted that all affected bets were voided by Tabcorp, ensuring no financial impact on customers and confirming that Tabcorp did not profit from this incident.
This recent penalty is part of a broader pattern of regulatory scrutiny for Tabcorp, as the company was also fined AU$4.6 million earlier this year by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) for various breaches of its regulatory obligations.
