ACMA fines Dabble AU$1M over RG failures

• ACMA has issued an AU$1m fine to Dabble
• The company failed to close down accounts for excluded players
• Dabble similarly communicated promotional materials without mention of BetStop

The Australian Communications Media Authority (ACMA) has investigated and subsequently fined Dabble Sports Pty Ltd (trading as Dabble) AU$1,069,200 ($760,415) citing responsible gambling shortcomings.

ACMA acts in case of RG infringement

The fine has already been paid by the operator, with ACMA specifically citing breaches of online gambling self-exclusion rules as the basis of the enforcement action and ensuing financial penalty.

ACMA member Carolyn Lidgerwood has called the findings of the infringements "deeply concerning."

"People who register with BetStop have made a clear decision to exclude themselves from online wagering. Providers must respect that decision by closing their accounts promptly and ensuring they are not targeted with gambling promotions. These were serious breaches by Dabble. Wagering providers must have robust systems in place to protect people who have chosen to self-exclude."

Dabble is following a court-enforcable undertaking in order to ensure that it will not allow a repeat of the same breach that has led to the current enforcement action.

The specific infringements established in ACMA’s investigation concern 157 wagering accounts which belonged to people who had registered with BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register, but did not have their accounts closed.

Dabble expected to comply, review, and improve

What's more, Dabble also sent 839 electronic messages, a mix of SMS, emails, and app push notifications, to 165 self-exclusion gamblers. Another 45 customers received 2,000 push notifications between them, and in those, no information about BetStop was provided, which is another infringement.

Dabble has agreed to conduct a two-year court-enforceable undertaking, which will see it conduct an independent review of its compliance systems. The company will also invest in recommended improvements.

"BetStop is an important consumer protection measure, but it only works if wagering companies follow the rules. The ACMA will take action where wagering providers fail to meet their obligations," Lidgerwood added.

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