Australia: Bet Right Fined for Breaching Responsible Gambling Code Amid Heightened Scrutiny
Last update: 08 October, 2025
The case originated from a 2022 complaint lodged by a customer who alleged that Bet Right failed to adequately follow up on concerns about his gambling behaviour. The bookmaker had reportedly sent an email regarding his wagering activity but did not make the promised follow-up call after the customer failed to respond. The individual claimed he never saw the email because it had been filtered into his junk folder.
After reviewing the case, the NTRWC determined that Bet Right had breached the Northern Territory Code for the Responsible Service of Online Gambling, calling the company’s failure to make contact “a matter of concern.” Despite this finding, the Commission concluded that the bets placed by the complainant remained lawful and rejected his request for compensation or reimbursement of losses.
The decision, delivered on 9 September 2025, highlights the Commission’s willingness to impose penalties for procedural lapses but also exposes the limited scope of restitution available to customers under current rules. The fine, though modest, underscores the increasing pressure on the Northern Territory regulator, which licenses most of Australia’s corporate bookmakers, to strengthen its enforcement practices.
The ruling also coincides with mounting national attention on the NTRWC following a recent ABC Four Corners investigation into the country’s online gambling sector. The exposé alleged systemic issues within the regulator, including potential conflicts of interest, slow complaint resolution, and a perceived bias towards betting operators.
A spokesperson for the Northern Territory’s Department of Tourism and Hospitality confirmed that the department is reviewing conflict-of-interest management within the Commission, including scrutiny of gifts and benefits received by its members.
The fine was issued under the jurisdiction of the reconstituted NTRWC, which replaced the former Northern Territory Racing Commission in 2024 — part of a broader effort to reform oversight amid public and political concern about Australia’s fast-growing online betting industry.