Operators with open regulatory action or substantiated adverse reports from the Bureau's daily media monitoring — every entry shows its dated, sourced evidence.
Criteria
How an operator ends up on this list
An operator appears on the watch list when credible reporting or regulator action raises unresolved questions about its conduct — for example open regulatory proceedings, repeated substantiated customer complaints, or adverse findings still under appeal.
Every entry is reviewed by the Bureau before listing and carries its dated, sourced evidence. Nothing is listed on rumour or a single unverified report.
Operators can respond: contact hello@bureauofbookmaking.com.au and your response will be reviewed and, where appropriate, reflected in the entry.
Entries are removed when the underlying matter is resolved.
2026-07-04AUSTRAC found "serious gaps" in Bet365's anti-money-laundering controls and risk systems, requiring the company to enter an enforceable undertaking to strengthen its anti-money-laundering and suspicious transaction reporting processes. (The Nightly)
“One of Australia's biggest online bookmakers has been forced to overhaul its anti-money-laundering controls after the financial crime watchdog found "serious gaps" in Bet365's risk systems and suspicious matter reporting.”
2026-04-23The Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission upheld bet365's right to reverse a $53,585 erroneous payment to a customer, finding the bookmaker acted in accordance with its terms and conditions in correcting a systems error involving a sports multi-bet. (The Straight)
“"The Commission is satisfied that there was a clear technical error by bet365 in the initial calculation and settlement of the wager, and that bet365 is therefore entitled to correct the error in accordance with the terms and conditions outlined above," it said.”
2024-06-13Australia's gambling regulator began inquiries after the Australian Financial Review demonstrated it could deposit credit card funds into Bet365 via third parties, despite new credit card gambling restrictions that came into effect. Bet365 subsequently suspended the deposit methods while the matter was being reviewed. (AFR)
“But as late as Wednesday afternoon Bet365 was allowing users to make deposits using Flexepin and paysafecards – digital vouchers that can be purchased with a credit card online.”
2026-06-04The Times reported that the family of Luke Ashton, who died by suicide in 2021 aged 40, is suing Betfair for over £800,000, claiming the bookmaker breached its duty of care and that the death was linked to gambling addiction; Betfair is defending the claim and denies encouraging bets or materially contributing to the death. (The Times)
“The family of a man who killed himself are suing Betfair for more than £800,000 over claims that he took his life because of a gambling addiction.”
2026-04-16The Australian Communications and Media Authority issued Chasebet a formal warning for failing to promote BetStop in three marketing emails and on its website, in breach of gambling self-exclusion rules. After ACMA alerted the company, Chasebet rectified the issue, though ACMA warned it would take further enforcement action if breaches occur again. (The Straight)
“Harris Bookmaking Pty Ltd, trading as Chasebet and licensed in New South Wales, was issued with a formal warning for failing to promote BetStop in three marketing emails and on its website.”
2026-08-04Tim Costello, an Alliance for Gambling Reform advocate appearing before a Senate Inquiry, accused Sportsbet of paying for flights and escorts for problem gamblers and asking them about drug use to exploit vulnerabilities, according to reporting by the Australian Financial Review. Luke Bateman, a former heavy gambler, also alleged that a sports betting company (unnamed in his account) provided drugs at VIP events and asked him in advance what drugs he wanted available. (Letsgohorseracing)
“ALLIANCE for Gambling Reform advocate Tim Costello has accused sports betting giants TAB and Sportsbet of paying for flights and escorts, and also asking problem gamblers what drugs they use in a bid to keep people punting.”
2026-08-03Former NRL player Luke Bateman told a Senate inquiry he was invited to VIP events by an unnamed bookmaker where he used drugs with bosses. Sportsbet responded by stating it has no evidence of such activities and called for anyone with evidence to report to authorities. (AFR)
“Sportsbet says it has no evidence that its VIP managers offered drugs and escorts to gamblers to keep them punting, and anyone with evidence of such activities should hand it over for investigation by the authorities.”
2026-08-03Sportsbet has been accused before a parliamentary inquiry of offering illicit drugs, prostitutes, luxury accommodation and flights to high-spending customers to encourage continued gambling, The Australian reported. (The Australian)
“Illicit drugs, prostitutes, luxury accommodation and flights are among the range of perks bookmakers have allegedly offered their highest-spending customers to keep them punting, a parliamentary probe has heard.”
2026-07-31A class action trial commenced in the Supreme Court of Victoria seeking refunds for Sportsbet customers who lost money using the company's Fast Code in-play betting service. Maurice Blackburn alleges the Fast Code service did not comply with Australian gambling laws requiring in-play bets to be made wholly by telephone, and that Sportsbet represented the service as lawful when it was not. (The Straight)
“The proceeding was filed by Maurice Blackburn Lawyers in late 2024 against Sportsbet on behalf of people who placed one or more losing in-play bets through the Fast Code service between December 2018 and December 2024.”
2025-12-29The NT Racing and Wagering Commission fined Sportsbet $313,140 for breaching licence conditions by failing to provide gambling activity statements to 6,131 customers over an 18-month period between 2022 and 2024, which the regulator described as 'a systemic failure' in the company's governance and assurance framework. (ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
“The company was found to have breached its licence conditions by failing to provide 6,131 customers with "activity statements" over an 18-month period between 2022 and 2024.”
2025-01-01An ACMA investigation found that Betsmarter Pty Ltd, trading as Topbet, contravened Part 7B of the Interactive Gambling Act by sending a regulated electronic message to an address where it was reckless to the fact that the address belonged to an individual registered with the BetStop National Self-Exclusion Register. The ACMA issued a formal warning. (ACMA)
2026-03-05The ACMA found that Winners Bookmaking Pty Ltd (trading as Betplay) failed to close a wagering account in a reasonable timeframe for a customer who had registered with BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register. The company was issued with a formal warning, with potential for further enforcement action including financial penalties or Federal Court proceedings if breaches occur again. (ACMA)
“The ACMA has found Winners Bookmaking Pty Ltd (trading as Betplay) failed to close a wagering account in a reasonable timeframe for a customer who has registered with BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register (NSER).”
Every entry above is reviewed by the Bureau before listing and shows its dated, sourced evidence. If you represent a listed operator, you can respond at hello@bureauofbookmaking.com.au — entries are removed when the underlying matter is resolved. See how the lists work.
This list is consumer-protection information, not betting advice — we publish no inducements, odds or tips. Gambling can be harmful. For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
