ReadyBet, a licensed wagering operator in Australia, has been formally sanctioned by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) after the company was found to have repeatedly breached federal self-exclusion laws. According to an ACMA investigation, ReadyBet sent hundreds of promotional messages to users registered with BetStop — the National Self-Exclusion Register — and failed to meet its legal obligations to promote the register in thousands of other marketing messages.

Unlawful Marketing to Self-Excluded Users

Between August and December 2023, ReadyBet sent a total of 273 push notifications and SMS messages to individuals who had voluntarily excluded themselves from betting platforms using BetStop, according to the ACMA’s release. The register, which launched in August 2023, enables Australians to block themselves from accessing any licensed online or phone wagering services for durations ranging from three months to a lifetime.

The ACMA’s report indicated that the violations were not isolated or accidental. In several cases, internal system failures and manual processing errors contributed to the breaches. For instance, a staff member mistakenly filtered marketing data using the wrong column, leading to 85 self-excluded users receiving messages on December 21. In another instance, 159 users received a betting alert for a Cricket World Cup match via the ReadyBet app.

“These are not technical oversights,” the authority stated. “They represent systemic failures in ReadyBet’s internal controls to comply with legal consumer protections.”

ReadyBet was also criticized for its lack of response to earlier regulatory interventions. According to the ACMA, the company had received prior warnings in both September and October, yet failed to implement adequate corrective measures. “ReadyBet was aware of the risks… but failed to take timely and effective action,” the report said.

In addition to direct breaches involving self-excluded individuals, the company neglected to include mandatory BetStop promotional content in 2,342 push notifications sent in October 2023. While its SMS messages contained links to relevant webpages, its in-app messages failed to reference the register, a clear violation of regulations designed to keep users informed about opt-out options.

Under current federal law, all licensed wagering providers must include clear information about BetStop in their promotional messaging. The requirement is intended to ensure that consumers remain aware of self-exclusion tools available to them.

ACMA Imposes Corrective Measures

As a result of the investigation, the ACMA issued a remedial direction compelling ReadyBet to take several corrective actions. These include commissioning an independent review of its marketing systems — particularly its handling of customer exclusion data — and examining the role of third-party suppliers. The company is also required to arrange formal training for its staff to prevent future incidents.

Failure to comply with the direction could lead to civil penalties. Under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, violations may result in fines of up to 180 penalty units per offence. While the ACMA has not yet confirmed whether further enforcement actions will be taken, it stated that legal proceedings remain under consideration.

The BetStop initiative is part of Australia’s broader strategy to curb gambling-related harm, which also includes mandatory identity verification and tools to set deposit limits. Consumer advocates have long pushed for stricter oversight of the digital wagering industry, warning that the rise in online gambling poses an increasing risk to public health.

ReadyBet has not issued a public comment on the findings.