Australia’s online in-play betting ban is back in the spotlight after the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) penalised Tabcorp for accepting prohibited in-play wagers through its online wagering service. While in-play betting is allowed in limited circumstances (such as in-venue services and some phone-based models), the ACMA’s investigation focused on bets accepted online after events had started, which the regulator treats as a clear breach.
What the ACMA says Tabcorp did
In a final investigation report, the ACMA found that Tabcorp accepted 426 online in-play bets across 32 tennis matches between 16 February 2024 and 25 June 2025. The report said 354 customers were affected by those wagers, with the activity occurring via Tabcorp’s online wagering service.
The penalty itself totalled $158,400, delivered via eight infringement notices of $19,800 each. Those figures are set out in the ACMA’s gambling investigations outcomes for 2026.
How the error happened, and why the ACMA still cares
Tabcorp told the ACMA the issue stemmed from systems communications errors between a third-party provider and Tabcorp systems, along with problems tied to information the provider relied on from another party. In the same report, Tabcorp outlined that it voided the in-play bets and refunded customers once the issue was identified.
The investigation timeline is also instructive for operators across the market. The ACMA commenced the investigation on 17 June 2025 after receiving a complaint on 31 March 2025, and the report notes the system problem was rectified on 18 July 2025 via a technical fix implemented by the third-party provider.
What this signals for the wider betting market
The enforcement action is part of a broader pattern: the ACMA has been increasing its use of infringement notices, remedial directions and other compliance tools across interactive wagering, including for breaches tied to BetStop (the National Self-Exclusion Register). For punters, the key takeaway is that regulators are paying close attention to how wagering platforms enforce rules at the technical level, not just what the house rules say.
That focus matters because many modern betting products are built on layers of vendors, data suppliers and automated trading systems. The ACMA’s Tabcorp findings show that, even where a problem originates in third-party systems, the licensed wagering provider remains accountable under Australian law.
What This Means for Punters
If you place bets in fast-moving markets, it’s worth remembering that operators can void wagers they believe were accepted illegally, particularly around in-play conditions and event start times. That can be frustrating, but it reflects the underlying legal framework Australia uses to manage higher-risk betting formats.
If you want to compare how major brands handle live markets and bet acceptance rules, look at the product features and conditions across operators such as Ladbrokes and bet365 before you bet.
For the primary regulatory detail, the ACMA’s published investigation report is the most useful reference: ACMA investigation report – Tabcorp Holdings Limited (GINV-2025-00041).