Wagering Operator Penalized After Failing to Close Account and Accepting Hundreds of Bets from Registered BetStop User
Palmer Bookmaking Pty Ltd, trading as Palmerbet, has entered into an 18-month court-enforceable undertaking following an investigation by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) that uncovered breaches of online gambling self-exclusion regulations.
The ACMA investigation determined that Palmerbet failed to close the wagering account of an individual who had registered with BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register. Although records indicate the user registered with BetStop in September 2023, Palmerbet did not close the account until February 2025. Furthermore, the operator accepted 312 bets from the self-excluded customer between December 2024 and February 2025.
Under mandatory self-exclusion rules, wagering providers are legally required to close accounts for individuals registered with BetStop as soon as practicable and must refrain from providing them with any online wagering services.
Remediation and Regulatory Oversight
In response to the breaches, the ACMA accepted an 18-month court-enforceable undertaking from Palmerbet. The agreement commits the company to undergoing a comprehensive independent review of its compliance systems and processes, alongside making the financial investments necessary to implement all recommended improvements. Additionally, Palmerbet has fully repaid all deposits made by the individual from their BetStop registration date through February 2025.
Should Palmerbet violate the terms of the undertaking, the ACMA holds the authority to initiate legal proceedings in the Federal Court to enforce compliance.
