Tabcorp Fined for Illegal In-Play Betting After Online Tennis Breach

Tabcorp has been fined for illegal in-play betting after allowing Australian customers to place online wagers on 32 tennis matches once play had already begun. The $158,400 penalty follows an investigation by the Australian Communications and Media Authority into 426 prohibited in-play bets accepted between February 2024 and June 2025.

426 Online In-Play Bets Accepted Across 32 Matches

The regulator’s investigation determined that the bets were placed after matches had commenced and were accepted via digital channels. Under federal law, bookmakers may offer live betting only in person or over the phone. Online and in-app in-play betting remains prohibited, consistent with the limited legal forms of gambling available to Australian players under the Interactive Gambling Act.

Once the issue was identified, the affected bets were voided, and customers were refunded.

While the number of bets was relatively small compared to Tabcorp’s overall wagering activity, the breach concerns the acceptance of a prohibited product rather than the financial impact.

Third-Party System Failure Cited as Cause

Tabcorp attributed the breach to systems and communication issues involving a third-party data provider responsible for delivering match-status updates. According to the operator’s submission, delays in receiving timely match data meant betting markets did not suspend as required when play began.

ACMA accepted that external technology contributed to the incident but treated the matter as a compliance failure by the licence holder. Under Australia’s regulatory framework, responsibility for preventing illegal in-play bets rests with the operator, regardless of whether third-party suppliers are involved.

The regulator also raised concern about how long the issue went undetected before corrective action was taken.

Third Breach of In-Play Rules Since 2021

This latest fine represents the third in-play betting breach involving Tabcorp since 2021. ACMA indicated that the operator’s compliance history was a factor in determining the enforcement response.

Repeated failures in a clearly defined regulatory area increase regulatory risk, particularly where controls are expected to be well-established.

The breach period spanned from February 2024 through to June 2025 before the issue was identified and resolved.

Enforceable Undertaking Imposes Further Oversight

In addition to the financial penalty, Tabcorp has entered into a comprehensive enforceable undertaking with ACMA. The legally binding agreement requires the company to review its systems governing the suspension of tennis betting markets, strengthen internal controls around in-play restrictions, and provide regular compliance reports to the regulator.

ACMA has indicated that any further breaches could result in escalation to the Federal Court, significantly increasing Tabcorp’s legal and regulatory exposure.

Added Pressure Following Previous Regulatory Actions

The in-play breach adds to a series of regulatory penalties imposed on Tabcorp in recent years.

ACMA recently fined the operator $112,680 for failing to comply with rules protecting individuals registered with BetStop. In 2025, Tabcorp was also penalised $4 million for breaching the Spam Act after sending thousands of unlawful marketing messages to customers involved in its VIP program.

The cumulative enforcement actions illustrate sustained regulatory scrutiny of Australia’s largest wagering company.

Separate NSW In-Venue Trial Operated Under Different Conditions

The breach occurs against the backdrop of a New South Wales trial that allowed in-play betting via a controlled in-venue mode on the TAB app.

That trial, which permitted customers physically present in selected venues to place live bets through an approved channel, received state-level regulatory approval and has not yet been expanded beyond those venues.

The current penalty relates specifically to online in-play betting outside of that approved framework.

Clear Regulatory Line on Online In-Play Betting

Australia’s Interactive Gambling Act maintains a strict distinction between telephone or in-person wagering and online in-play betting. These rules shape how licensed online sportsbooks in Australia structure their betting markets and compliance controls under federal law.

The latest enforcement action reinforces that operators cannot rely on technical errors or third-party system issues to justify acceptance of prohibited wagers. Compliance mechanisms must function reliably at all times in areas where federal law sets explicit boundaries.

For major licensed bookmakers, the message remains consistent: in-play betting controls are a core compliance obligation, and repeated failures carry increasing regulatory consequences.