ACMA Issues Warning to Chasebet for Self-Exclusion Violations, Blocks 19 Illegal Sites

(AsiaGameHub) –   Harris Bookmaking, conducting business as Chasebet, has received a formal warning from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) regarding failures to comply with gambling self-exclusion requirements.

The regulator determined that Chasebet failed to “adequately promote” BetStop, Australia’s National Self-Exclusion Register, within its communications. An investigation uncovered that the operator omitted necessary references to BetStop in three marketing emails and did not give the tool sufficient prominence on its website. According to Australian regulations, licensed operators are required to promote BetStop and incorporate links into all promotional messages and digital platforms.

Consequently, the ACMA concluded that Chasebet had violated its licence conditions. However, the regulator observed that the operator acted “promptly” to rectify the situation upon notification, blaming the oversight on a software consolidation error. The ACMA cautioned that any future breaches could result in escalated enforcement measures.

In a separate action, the ACMA instructed internet service providers to block 19 illegal gambling and affiliate websites that were found to be in violation of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. The blocked list includes platforms such as Bass Bet, BetWhale, CasinOK, Cleobetra, Diva Spin, FatPirate, Free Spinz, Gransino, and JackBit, among others.

Since the start of its site-blocking initiative in 2019, the ACMA has blocked approximately 1,640 illegal gambling and affiliate websites. Additionally, more than 230 operators have left the Australian market since the enforcement of stricter rules began in 2017.

The regulator stated:

ACMA is reminding consumers that even if a service appears legitimate, it is unlikely to possess key customer protections. This implies that Australians using illegal gambling services are putting their money at risk.