Tabcorp Pays $158,400 after ACMA Probe Finds Illegal In-play Bets

Tabcorp has paid a $158,400 penalty after Australia’s gambling regulator ACMA, found it accepted illegal online in-play sports bets on tennis. Tabcorp Holdings Limited was found to have taken 426 in-play bets across 32 matches between February 2024 and June 2025, despite the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 banning online in-play betting on sport. Tabcorp voided the bets and refunded customers, and has signed an enforceable undertaking to tighten its systems.

What the regulator says happened

In an update dated 12 February 2026, Australian Communications and Media Authority said its investigation found Tabcorp accepted 426 online in-play bets on tennis matches after play had already started.

Tabcorp told the ACMA the breaches were linked to system and communication issues involving a third-party provider. The bets were voided and customers were refunded.

This isn’t the only recent compliance issue involving Tabcorp. In a separate ACMA action tied to BetStop, Australia’s national self-exclusion scheme, the regulator named six licensed betting companies for breaches in 2024, including Tabcorp. In that case, Tabcorp paid a $112,680 penalty and agreed to a legally binding plan to improve its processes, while the other operators were issued directions or warnings to address problems.

Why online in-play sports betting is illegal in Australia

“In-play” means betting after a match has started. Under the Interactive Gambling Act rules explained by the ACMA, online in-play sports betting is a prohibited service.

There are limited exceptions in practice (for example, placing an in-play bet by phone rather than clicking in an app), but the key point for punters is simple: if it’s online and the sport is already underway, it can breach the rules.

What Tabcorp has to do next

Alongside the $158,400 penalty, Tabcorp has entered into an enforceable undertaking requiring it to review how it closes betting on tennis matches, improve controls, and report regularly to the ACMA.

The ACMA warned that further non-compliance could lead to court action through the Federal Court of Australia.

Wagering services must have processes in place to prevent illegal in-play bets from being accepted.

Key details at a glance