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This week, a significant Australian gaming business will be subject to a harsh penalty. Tabcorp was fined $158,400 by the Australian Communications and Media Authority. In US dollars, this is equivalent to almost $103,000. The regulator punished the company for accepting illegal “in-play” sports bets.
The Trouble with Tennis
A serious pattern in Tabcorp’s operations was discovered during the examination. There were a total of 426 bets monitored in the period from February 2024 to June 2025. Thirty-two tennis matches were the subject of these wagers. The problem arose because the matches had already started. Live betting on ongoing matches is absolutely prohibited under Australian law. The Interactive Gambling Act of 2001 declared this rule. In the excitement of a game, they wish to avoid making snap decisions. Players can still place these bets over the phone. They can also bet in person at a retail shop. However, digital platforms must close the market the moment the match begins. Tabcorp failed to do this on multiple occasions.
Blaming the Tech Support
Tabcorp admitted to the mistake. They voided the illegal bets and refunded the money to customers. The company presented that a third-party system caused the error. This external provider failed to send the correct data to close the betting markets on time. The regulator accepted this explanation but rejected it as an excuse. ACMA member Carolyn Lidgerwood issued a strong statement. She made it clear that a license holder holds the ultimate responsibility.
A Pattern of Failure
This incident is not an isolated mistake. The ACMA stated that the organization has breached this set of guides 3 times since 2021. This history of non-compliance forced the regulator to take stricter action. Lidgerwood expressed concern over the company’s reaction time. She noted that Tabcorp took too long to identify the glitch. The regulator expects a company of this size to monitor its systems better.
Consequences Beyond the Fine
Tabcorp must do more than just pay the fine. The company entered into an “enforceable undertaking.” This is a legal agreement with the government. Under this deal, Tabcorp must repair its technology. They need to review exactly how they open and close betting markets for tennis. They must also report their progress to the ACMA regularly. This monitoring will aim to prevent future errors. The regulator has warned that they will not accept another misconception. Any further breaches could lead to prosecution in the Federal Court. That legal route would likely result in much higher penalties.
Why Regulators Watch Live Betting
Live or “in-play” betting poses unique risks. The odds change instantly with every point or goal. This speed encourages rapid-fire wagering. Regulators in Australia view this as a high-risk activity for problem gamblers. Most other countries allow online in-play betting. Australia remains an outlier with its strict ban. This issue presents a warning to all operators in the region. Even a tech error can lead to serious legal trouble if it violates these fundamental consumer protections.
Source: ACMA
