ACMA fines Picklebet A$19,800 for accepting BetStop-registered customer
Puntaa Pty Ltd accepted bets from a BetStop registrant; the account was closed the same day.
Key Takeaways
- The Australian Communications and Media Authority fined Puntaa Pty Ltd (Picklebet) A$19,800 for accepting bets from a BetStop-registered person.
- Picklebet accepted wagers on 9 February 2026 from an individual who had enrolled in BetStop hours earlier, then closed the account the same day.
- BetStop rules prohibit gambling companies from providing services to people registered on the national self-exclusion register.
- New legislation effective 1 January 2027 will reinforce BetStop and substantially increase penalties for non-compliance with self-exclusion rules.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority imposed a fine of $19,800 on Puntaa Pty Ltd, which trades as Picklebet, for accepting bets from a person registered on the national self-exclusion register BetStop. The incident occurred on 9 February 2026, when Picklebet accepted wagers from an individual who had enrolled in BetStop hours earlier; the account was closed later that same day.
By Miguel Sandoval, Regulatory Correspondent.
Details of the breach
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) investigation found that accepting bets on 9 February 2026 breached the self-exclusion rules: once a person registers with BetStop, wagering companies must not provide gambling services to them. Picklebet proceeded to close the customer account on the same day it accepted the bets.
Regulatory framework and upcoming changes
New laws coming into force on 1 January 2027 will strengthen BetStop and include, among other measures, a substantial increase in penalties for breaches of the self-exclusion rules. Regulators and operators will need to adapt processes to comply with the revised requirements. Read more about the national register in [regulation](/regulation) and about operator responsibilities in [b2b](/b2b).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was fined and how much was the penalty?
Puntaa Pty Ltd, trading as Picklebet, was fined A$19,800. The sanction was imposed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority following its investigation.
What happened on 9 February 2026 according to the investigation?
On 9 February 2026 Picklebet accepted bets from a person who had registered in BetStop hours earlier. The customer's account was then closed later that same day.
What do BetStop rules prohibit?
BetStop rules prohibit wagering companies from providing gambling services to people registered on the national self-exclusion register. ACMA concluded that accepting bets from a registered person breached those rules.
What legal changes take effect on 1 January 2027?
From 1 January 2027 new laws will strengthen BetStop and include a substantial increase in penalties for breaches of self-exclusion requirements, requiring regulators and operators to update processes.
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About the author
Miguel Sandoval
Regulatory Affairs Correspondent
Miguel Sandoval tracks gambling legislation, licensing, and regulator enforcement — from Spain's DGOJ and the Latin American authorities to the UKGC, the MGA, and the state-by-state map in North America. The reports answer three questions precisely — what changed, where, and who it affects — with jurisdictions, dates, and penalties cited exactly as published. Operators and compliance officers read Miguel Sandoval to know which rulebook moved before their next meeting.
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