As revealed today by The Sydney Morning Herald, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has identified a problem pertaining to BetStop, Australia’s National Self-Exclusion Register. According to ACMA, the said issue has enabled some BetStop users to partake in wagering.
The matter concerns BetStop’s way of verifying consumer data and how practices from certain operators have prevented BetStop from identifying an undisclosed number of problem gamblers. Specifically, some companies have failed to mandate that their users provide their full names while undergoing identity verification. Instead, they have utilised “fuzzy matching” to associate a given user’s nickname with their documents.
This approach has led to discrepancies between the data provided to operators and the identity information the individual has input while registering for self-exclusion. As a result, the system has been unable to identify such wagerers, and it could not ensure that they would not be targeted by gambling promotions and would be prevented from registering on gambling websites.
In light of this issue, ACMA has called for operators to cease the practice of accepting nicknames and other incomplete information from patrons and instead have users provide their first and last names as written in their verification documents. ACMA has also asked that companies request the mobile phone number of an individual as opposed to their landline number.
The Problem Could Necessitate Changes to BetStop
An ACMA spokesperson told The Sydney Morning Herald that the problem is associated with “a relatively small number of matters.” They continued, claiming that industry players have generally been compliant, but they nonetheless stressed that ACMA’s compliance standards remain high and that the organisation “will not hesitate” to hold companies accountable for cases of gambling harm that could have been prevented had the said operators followed the rules.
Another individual to weigh in on the matter was a spokesperson for the gambling coalition Responsible Wagering Australia. According to them, the effectiveness of any changes related to BetStop relies on regulators requesting and listening to the input of industry players. They further emphasised that coalition members “are fulfilling all obligations” to ACMA and BetStop and are doing everything in their power to guarantee that “the system works effectively.”
ACMA’s Continued Battle to Protect Australian Gamblers
In addition to issuing a warning on the identification loophole and advocating for changes to how companies have their users undergo verification, ACMA has undertaken further measures within its authority to keep Australia-based gamblers safe.
On March 19th, the company provided internet service providers (ISPs) with a list of gambling websites to block, as ACMA has determined that the said operators have not been complying with Australia’s gambling regulations. Rockwin, Zota Bet, and Lucky7even are a few of the companies that were scrutinised and found to be operating illegally. ACMA also made sure to warn users of the dangers of illegal offshore operators.
ACMA’s duties also involve regulating how operators and other entities approach gambling advertisements and further monitoring the marketing of gambling to ensure that it does not breach Aussie laws. As previously reported by Casino Guardian, ACMA handed a fine of AU$13,320 to the Seven Network last November for illegally displaying almost 50 betting ads to viewers while the broadcaster aired the Olympics. Last month, ACMA also announced its investigation into Optus Sport over alleged breaches of advertisement regulations.
- Author
Daniel Williams
