Australian bookmaker Bet Right has been fined AU$13,430 (about US$8,700) by the Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission (NTRWC) for not following responsible gambling rules. The fine came after a 2022 complaint from a customer who said the company failed to follow up on concerns about his betting habits.

According to The Straight, Bet Right emailed the customer about his gambling activity and promised a phone call that never happened. The customer said he missed the email because it went to his junk folder and asked for a refund of his losses. However, the Commission ruled that his bets were still valid and rejected the request.

The Commission stated that Bet Right broke the Northern Territory Code for the Responsible Service of Online Gambling by not making the follow-up call. It called the issue a matter of concern and reminded operators to keep proper communication with customers about responsible gambling.

Commission Finds Breach but Rejects Compensation

The NTRWC investigated whether Bet Right took the right steps to taking notes and responding to risky betting behaviour. It confirmed that the company failed to do so, which requires gambling operators to follow up when there are signs of problem gambling.

The customer asked for compensation, but the Commission rejected the request, saying Bet Right’s mistake did not make the bets invalid. It ruled that the wagers were placed legally and by the customer’s own choice.

The decision was announced on 9 September and reminded all gambling companies to keep proper communication with customers and to make sure promised follow-ups are done.

Regulator Faces Increased Public Scrutiny

The ruling comes at a time when the Northern Territory’s gambling regulator is under public and media scrutiny. A recent investigation by the ABC’s Four Corners program raised concerns about the regulator’s oversight of Australia’s large online gambling industry.

The report alleged that the Commission had conflicts of interest, delays in handling complaints and a tendency to favour betting companies over consumers. These claims have led to renewed calls for stricter monitoring and more transparency in the regulation of online betting platforms.

Department Reviews Oversight and Ethics

A spokesperson for the Northern Territory Department of Tourism and Hospitality said the department is now reviewing how the Commission manages potential conflicts of interest. It will include examining any gifts or benefits received by Commission members and its potential influence on decision-making.

The fine was one of the first issued by the new NTRWC, formed in 2024. It shows that regulators are now taking stricter action to enforce responsible gambling and also ensure operators are held accountable.

The outcome signals a warning to other online bookmakers that failure to meet responsible gambling obligations could lead to financial penalties and reputational damage.