BlueBet fined for failing to stop a gambler's $570,000 loss spiral
BlueBet has been fined $53,380 after failing to protect a customer who lost over half a million dollars while gambling. The penalties follow an investigation into the company's handling of a high-spending punter who was encouraged to keep betting despite mounting losses.
The case has reignited calls for stricter gambling regulations, with critics arguing that current fines do little to prevent similar incidents. The customer initially lost $4,000 in a single day before requesting bonus bets from their BlueBet VIP manager. Over the next two weeks, they wagered nearly $400,000, losing a total of $570,000. Even after four months and $700,000 in losses, BlueBet only then assessed whether the customer could afford to continue gambling.
The National Trustee and Regulatory Services Commission (NTRWC) found that BlueBet missed multiple chances to intervene. Instead of promoting responsible gambling, the company prioritised retaining a profitable customer by offering VIP status and a dedicated account manager. No public details exist about the sales targets for the VIP manager involved.
A federal parliamentary inquiry, led by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy, had already warned that bonus bets push gamblers toward riskier behaviour and larger losses. The inquiry recommended banning such incentives entirely. Independent MP Andrew Wilkie has now called for harsher penalties to deter similar failures in the future.
Earlier this year, BlueBet merged with the gambling firm Betr, though the fine relates to its past operations. The $53,380 penalty represents less than 10% of the customer's total losses. Regulators have highlighted systemic failures in BlueBet's approach to responsible gambling. The case adds pressure for reforms in how betting companies monitor and support high-risk customers.
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