The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has imposed a fine of $1,014,120 on Betchoice Corporation Pty Ltd, trading as Unibet, for failing to close the accounts of 954 of its customers who had registered with BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register (NSER).

An ACMA investigation found more than 100,000 contraventions by Unibet of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA rules) for not closing the accounts of 954 customers as soon as practicable after they had registered on the NSER.

The investigation found that 45 of these customer accounts remained open for 190 days or more, including many who had registered to self-exclude from online and telephone betting on the first day of the NSER. While none of these self-excluded customers were able to place bets during their self-exclusion period, the accounts should have been closed.

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The company also provided wagering services to 45 customers after they ceased to be registered with the NSER, using old accounts that should have been closed. The ACMA found evidence that these customers were able to place thousands of bets through these accounts after their NSER registration ended, including one customer who placed more than 1200 bets on their old account.

Under the IGA rules, once an individual registers with the NSER, wagering service providers must close that person’s account as soon as practicable, with additional contraventions for each day the account remains open. If the person’s self-exclusion ends and they choose to place bets again, they must be required to open a new account rather than being allowed to log into their old account.

ACMA member and gambling lead Carolyn Lidgerwood said this was a significant lapse in Unibet’s NSER compliance processes.

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

“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.

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“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.

“We recognise that no bets were made from these Unibet accounts or marketing sent while customers were self-excluded. However, this outcome puts the industry on notice that they must comply with the rules or face potential financial penalties and other actions available to the ACMA under the IGA,” she said.

In addition to the first financial penalty imposed by the ACMA for breaches of NSER rules, the ACMA has accepted a 2-year court-enforceable undertaking from Unibet. The undertaking commits Unibet to a comprehensive independent review of its compliance systems and processes and the implementation of recommended improvements.

Unibet has also voluntarily undertaken to issue refunds to affected customers who were able to access accounts that should have been closed. The ACMA considers these important commitments from Unibet, directed at ensuring future compliance.

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has opened new offices in Mount Street, Dublin. Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan and Minister for State Niall Collins unveiled a dedicated plaque marking the opening.

Both Ministers were joined by Department of Justice officials and Minister O’Callaghan spoke of the importance of the mandate given to the GRAI and the role of the Authority is delivering an effective regulator for the gambling sector with an emphasise on education and awareness, protecting those from gambling harm and delivering certainty for the industry.

Chairperson Paul Quinn and CEO Anne Marie Caulfield also spoke and thanked the Minister and previous Ministers for their commitment in passing the Gambling Regulation Act and Establishing the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland.

As part of the visit Minister O’Callaghan’s visit, he joined the Authority for a meeting and met with staff working across the various functions again offering his support.

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Speaking at the event Chairperson, Mr Paul Quinn said:

“On behalf of my colleagues, I would like to acknowledge the excellent groundwork that has been already laid by Anne Marie and her colleagues in both the Authority and in the Department of Justice over the last couple of years. This hard work set us well on the road to success, albeit we know there will be the inevitable twists and turns in progressively introducing regulation.

“The Authority will bring robust and much-needed regulation to gambling in Ireland, giving certainty to Industry and building trust in the many consumers who enjoy sociable gambling, while also importantly protecting the most vulnerable in our society.

“It is essential that we build that public and industry trust by getting the three legs of the regulatory stool, licencing compliance and enforcement, to mutually reinforce each other in creating a robust framework

“The societal impacts of problem gambling are very much at the core of the legislation and establishing this Authority. I am hopeful that our work will reduce the stigma and secrecy associated with problem gambling by building greater awareness of its extent as a public health issue, by conducting research to inform decisions of the Authority and Government Policy, and in providing greater supports to the public using the planned Social Impact Fund.

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“I am clear that in the coming years our work will make an enormous difference to the lives of so many people affected by gambling addiction, not only those addicted themselves but also their families, friends and colleagues, and but also those who may be on the path to addiction and who, though our work, may stop getting to that point”

CEO of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, Anne Marie Caulfield said:

“It is fair to say that the introduction of the Gambling Regulation Act is one of the most important pieces of legislation enacted in recent years. I want to thank you Minister and your officials in the Department of Justice for your support and we look forward to working alongside you and your officials into the future.

“It would be wrong of me not to also mention former Ministers James Browne and Helen McEntee, both of whom were incredibly supportive of the Authority and who championed the passage of the legislation.

“At every stage of the legislative process, the public health mandate was kept front and centre, and as an independent regulatory body, we will continue to keep public health at the centre of everything we do.

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“This commitment is reflected in our mission to effectively regulate and educate in order to safeguard current and future generations from gambling harm.”

Oddsgate adds ISO 37001 and ISO 37301 to its certification portfolio, reinforcing its long-term strategy for integrity, trusted growth, and positioning as an ethical tech partner.

In a sector where regulatory evolution is constant and reputational risk travels fast, certifications alone are not the story, but the mindset behind them is. While new ISO achievements might go unnoticed by those accustomed to industry headlines, the recent ISO 37001 (Anti-Bribery Management) and ISO 37301 (Compliance Management) certifications obtained by Oddsgate represent more than procedural victories. They mark a conscious, strategic reinforcement of the company’s internal culture and operational DNA.

Rather than responding reactively to compliance demands, Oddsgate continues to build a structure where ethics, transparency, and control are not just safeguards but enablers of trust and performance. These certifications confirm that the company doesn’t just meet international standards, it anticipates them, translating complex regulatory requirements into clear, measurable practices across its platform and business model.

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“Our pursuit of these certifications was not driven by obligation, but by conviction. At Oddsgate, we view compliance as a catalyst, not a constraint. It enables our partners to grow securely and gives regulators and stakeholders something that has become a competitive asset: trust”, according to Tiago Almeida, Oddsgate’s CEO.

The ISO 37001 certification focuses on implementing a preventive and responsive anti-bribery management system. It covers a full spectrum of practices, from due diligence and risk assessment to internal audits, training, and whistleblowing mechanisms. It applies to both active and passive bribery and is compatible with other management systems already adopted by the company, such as ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 27001 (Information Security), and ISO 22301 (Business Continuity).

ISO 37301, meanwhile, raises the bar for how organization’s structure and monitor compliance at scale. Unlike its predecessor, ISO 19600, which served only as a guideline, ISO 37301 is a certifiable standard. It evaluates how a company maps its legal and regulatory obligations, integrates ethical conduct into its operations, and engages leadership in continuous improvement and governance. This includes everything from contractual commitments to internal codes of ethics and industry-specific requirements.

These certifications serve a dual function: mitigate legal and reputational risks while unlocking new value through stronger partnerships, regulatory credibility, and long-term operational resilience.

“More than responding to what’s expected, we believe in building systems that anticipate and adapt,” adds Tiago Almeida. “Compliance, when treated as strategy, can attract the right partners, generate business stability, and protect innovation from unnecessary risk.”

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Oddsgate’s compliance architecture is not an isolated layer but is deeply integrated with its platform offering and customer experience. From onboarding new operators to processing data securely and managing affiliate networks, the company has developed internal controls that scale with client growth while respecting local and international regulations.

As global markets mature and enforcement becomes more sophisticated, Oddsgate positions itself as a technology provider and an operational ally capable of helping its clients confidently navigate complex compliance landscapes.