Dabble Pays A$1.07 Million Over Self-Exclusion Breaches
Australia.- 18 September 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com Dabble Sports has paid A$1,069,200 in penalties after the Australian Communications and Media Authority, ACMA, found multiple breaches connected with BetStop, Australia’s National Self-Exclusion Register.
The investigation identified failures to close accounts belonging to self-excluded customers, marketing communications sent to people registered with BetStop and notifications that did not contain mandatory information about the scheme.
157 Accounts Not Closed
ACMA found that Dabble failed to close 157 wagering accounts after the account holders registered with BetStop.
Australian rules require wagering providers to close the accounts of people on the national self-exclusion register as soon as practicable.
The system is designed to prevent registered individuals from continuing to gamble with licensed online wagering providers.
839 Messages Sent to Self-Excluded Customers
The investigation also identified communications sent to people who had chosen to self-exclude.
A total of 165 self-excluded individuals received 839 electronic messages.
These included:
- SMS.
- Emails.
- App push notifications.
Marketing Must Stop After Self-Exclusion
Australian wagering providers must stop electronic marketing to customers registered with BetStop.
The requirement is intended to ensure that an individual’s decision to self-exclude is respected across all customer-contact channels used by an operator.
More Than 2,000 Push Notifications Missing BetStop Information
ACMA identified a separate breach involving other Dabble customers.
The operator sent more than 2,000 push notifications to 45 customers without including the required information about BetStop.
Australian self-exclusion rules require specified wagering communications to contain information about the national register.
Penalty Exceeds A$1 Million
Dabble paid exactly A$1,069,200 in financial penalties.
The enforcement action is part of ACMA’s wider focus on ensuring compliance with consumer-protection requirements across Australia’s online wagering market.
Two-Year Court-Enforceable Undertaking
Alongside the financial penalty, Dabble entered into a two-year court-enforceable undertaking.
The agreement requires the company to strengthen its systems and processes to ensure future compliance with self-exclusion rules.
Independent Compliance Review
Dabble must commission an independent review of its compliance systems.
The operator will be required to assess the weaknesses identified and make the investment necessary to implement recommended improvements.
ACMA Can Seek Court Enforcement
The undertaking is legally enforceable.
If Dabble fails to comply with its terms, ACMA can seek court action to enforce the agreement.
This creates continuing regulatory oversight beyond the initial financial penalty.
Carolyn Lidgerwood Calls for Robust Systems
ACMA member Carolyn Lidgerwood stressed that people registering with BetStop have made an explicit decision to exclude themselves from online wagering.
The regulator expects providers to have robust systems capable of closing accounts promptly and ensuring those customers are no longer targeted by gambling promotions.
BetStop’s Consumer-Protection Role
BetStop is Australia’s National Self-Exclusion Register.
Individuals can register to prevent themselves from using Australian-licensed online and telephone wagering services.
The effectiveness of the scheme depends on each licensed provider correctly applying the restrictions associated with registration.
Stronger Rules From January 2027
Australia will further strengthen the self-exclusion framework from 1 January 2027.
Reforms passed during 2026 will increase operator obligations and substantially raise the potential penalties for breaches.
Tighter Account-Closure Requirements
The updated framework will create stronger requirements around the effective closure of self-excluded customer accounts.
The reforms are intended to reduce delays involving deposits, winnings, withdrawals and other outstanding account activity.
Broader Electronic-Marketing Protection
The changes also strengthen rules around electronic communications.
Protection for self-excluded consumers is intended to extend beyond traditional email and SMS channels as operators increasingly communicate through apps and other digital formats.
Industry Context
Australia is continuing to strengthen player-protection and online wagering regulation.
Reforms introduced during 2026 include tighter advertising controls, stronger enforcement powers, enhancements to BetStop and additional obligations for licensed gambling providers.
The Dabble case forms part of that wider regulatory programme.
Next Steps and Impact
Dabble must now complete its independent review, fund the recommended improvements and comply with the conditions of its undertaking for two years.
For Australia’s wider wagering sector, the case highlights the importance of systems capable of rapidly and accurately synchronising BetStop status across customer accounts, marketing and digital communications.
With further reforms commencing in January 2027, self-exclusion will remain a central element of Australia’s consumer-protection framework.
Editó: @fonta
