Palmer Bookmaking, trading as Palmerbet, has entered into a court-enforceable undertaking after an Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) investigation identified breaches of national online wagering self-exclusion rules.
The investigation began following a consumer complaint and found that the individual registered with BetStop, Australia's National Self-Exclusion Register, on 2 September 2023. However, their existing Palmerbet account remained open until February 2025.
The ACMA found Palmerbet provided wagering services to the self-excluded customer on 18 separate days between 8 December 2024 and 22 February 2025. The regulator also recorded 535 contraventions relating to Palmerbet's failure to close the account as soon as practicable.
The investigation identified discrepancies between information held by Palmerbet and the customer's BetStop record. Palmerbet had used an incorrect date of birth and a shortened first name when checking the register, resulting in negative matches. The ACMA concluded that using the customer's correct information would have produced a positive match.
Palmerbet accepted 312 bets from the individual between December 2024 and February 2025. It has since repaid deposits made by the customer between their BetStop registration and the eventual closure of the account.
Under the 18-month undertaking, Palmerbet must appoint an independent consultant to review its systems, processes and practices relating to self-exclusion compliance. The company must then develop an implementation plan addressing the review's recommendations and provide further reporting to the ACMA.
Palmerbet is also required to report identified future non-compliance during the undertaking period. If it fails to comply with the undertaking, the ACMA can seek enforcement through the Federal Court.
The customer had registered with BetStop in September 2023
