Wagering service provider Puntaa Pty Ltd, operating under the brand name Picklebet, has paid a AUD 19,800 penalty for providing wagering services to an individual registered with BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register.
An investigation conducted by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) revealed that on February 9, 2026, Picklebet accepted bets from a consumer who had completed registration with BetStop earlier that same day. Under established self-exclusion regulations, once an individual registers with the national register, licensed betting companies are strictly prohibited from providing them with any wagering services. Following the incident, Picklebet closed the individual’s account later that afternoon.
Strengthening self-exclusion compliance
The enforcement action underscores the critical obligation of wagering operators to maintain rigorous, real-time synchronization with the national self-exclusion database. While Picklebet acted to close the account upon identifying the issue, accepting wagers from a newly registered self-excluded individual constitutes a direct regulatory infringement.
Regulatory oversight in this area is set to intensify significantly. New legislative measures commencing on January 1, 2027, will further strengthen the BetStop framework by substantially increasing financial penalties for operators that breach self-exclusion rules. These upcoming reforms aim to provide a more robust deterrent against compliance failures and enhance consumer protection across the Australian wagering landscape.
