Dabble pays A$1.07m after ACMA finds BetStop self-exclusion breaches

A penalty and a two-year undertaking

On 16 September 2026, Australia’s ACMA announced that Dabble Sports Pty Ltd had paid A$1,069,200 for breaching online wagering self-exclusion rules. Dabble also gave a two-year court-enforceable undertaking to secure future compliance.

Accounts and marketing both failed

The investigation found 157 wagering accounts remained open after their holders registered with BetStop, Australia’s national self-exclusion register. Dabble also sent 839 SMS messages, emails and app notifications to 165 self-excluded people.

Providers must close registered people’s wagering accounts as soon as practicable and stop electronic marketing. Separately, 45 customers received more than 2,000 push notifications without the required BetStop information.

An independent review, backed by the courts

The undertaking requires an independent review of Dabble’s compliance systems and investment to implement the recommended improvements. ACMA can ask a court to enforce the terms if Dabble breaches them.

ACMA member Carolyn Lidgerwood said the findings were deeply concerning and that the breaches could cause real harm. The regulator also flagged new laws starting on 1 January 2027, including substantially higher penalties for BetStop breaches.

Why the operational detail matters

Self-exclusion has to work in two places: access to wagering and the marketing systems that invite someone back. Closing an account while leaving promotional messages running would still leave part of that protection unfinished.

The penalty and the undertaking address different needs: a sanction for the breaches and enforceable changes to the systems behind them. For related coverage, see Australia’s Adstop reforms. Our responsible-play page brings together player-facing limits and support.