The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has fined Entain AU$13,320 (US$8,768) for accepting in-play bets on an LIV Golf event. Two of the gambling group’s brands offered the markets, namely Neds and Ladbrokes. They accepted 78 in-play wagers online on the last day of the Bangkok LIV Golf event in October. Australia does not permit these types of betting markets.
As reported by ABC, the AU$13,320 fine is the largest that the ACMA can hand out for an infraction of this kind. It is also the first time the regulator has fined an operator for breaking in-play wagering rules. Entain blamed the breaches on a technical error that resulted in its system logging the wrong start time for the tournament.
Every one of the bets placed across the two platforms was ultimately voided. The issue only came to light after a user flagged it three hours after the beginning of the final day’s action. Entain reviewed its in-play compliance policy and updated it to ensure that future breaches don’t occur.
Commenting on the danger of in-play gambling, ACMA chair Nerida O’Loughlin said: “Online in-play betting increases the risk for those people experiencing gambling harm as it provides fast outcomes and allows for higher frequency of bets.”