The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has taken enforcement action against online betting operator ReadyBet for significant breaches of national self-exclusion regulations.
The authority has issued a formal remedial direction after an investigation revealed the operator sent marketing communications to hundreds of individuals who had registered with BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register.
The ACMA investigation found that ReadyBet distributed 273 marketing messages, including SMS texts and mobile app push notifications, to customers who had voluntarily barred themselves from all online and phone-based wagering services.
BetStop is a critical consumer protection tool that allows individuals to self-exclude for periods ranging from three months to a lifetime. Any direct marketing to registered individuals is a clear violation of Australian gambling laws.
In addition to this direct breach, ReadyBet was also found to have failed to include mandatory information promoting the BetStop service in a further 2,342 marketing-related push notifications.
This omission represents a separate but equally serious failure to comply with regulatory requirements designed to ensure responsible gambling messaging is consistently visible to consumers.
Under the terms of the remedial direction, ReadyBet is now legally required to take immediate corrective action. The operator must commission a comprehensive, independent review of its marketing systems and processes, including any third-party providers it employs.
Furthermore, ReadyBet is mandated to arrange and enforce staff training on the proper handling of customer data to prevent future breaches involving self-excluded individuals.
The ACMA has stated that it will pursue civil penalties through the courts if ReadyBet fails to comply with the directive, signaling its commitment to upholding the integrity of the national self-exclusion framework.
