ReadyBet has been accused of violating Australia’s gambling self-exclusion laws. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) found the company guilty of contacting numerous individuals registered with the National Self-Exclusion Register, BetStop. This federal program allows citizens to exclude themselves from online and phone betting for periods between three months to a lifetime.

Once registered, users are shielded from all marketing communications by licensed betting operators. However, an investigation revealed that ReadyBet sent 273 marketing messages through push notifications and SMS to self-excluded users. This direct breach of BetStop’s policies prompted the ACMA to take formal action.

Thousands of Marketing Messages Also Lacked Required Notices

In addition to contacting self-excluded users, ReadyBet also didn’t include responsible gambling information in its marketing messages. According to the ACMA, over 2,342 push notifications were sent through the company’s mobile app without referencing the BetStop program.

This omission is a separate breach of national gambling laws, as operators are required to include self-exclusion materials in their communications. These rules keep players informed about the tools available to manage their gambling habits.

The volume and nature of these violations raised serious concerns with the ACMA. As a result, the agency is addressing this failure to meet industry standards with formal corrective action.

Mandatory Changes Ordered by ACMA

Under the terms of the remedial direction, ReadyBet must complete a full review of its marketing systems. This includes evaluating marketing processes used by third-party service providers. The operator must also implement mandatory training for its staff on handling self-excluded users and understanding the BetStop register’s legal requirements.

The ACMA stated that if ReadyBet does not meet the terms of the remedial direction, the matter will be escalated to civil court. This might result in financial penalties and other enforcement actions against the company.

Regulator Reinforces Industry Compliance Message

The ACMA will continue to monitor licensed operators for compliance with Australia’s gambling laws. The agency described BetStop as a vital tool for reducing gambling harm and protecting vulnerable users.

This enforcement action sends a clear message to other companies that failure to respect the rights of self-excluded individuals will attract strict regulatory consequences. Therefore, operators must take reasonable steps to follow the law and promote responsible gambling practices. ReadyBet remains under scrutiny as it works to meet the ACMA’s requirements and avoid further penalties.