BlueBet Hit with AU$53,000 Fine Over Responsible Gambling Failures in VIP Case

August 18, 2025 — Australian betting operator BlueBet has been fined AU$53,000 by the Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission (NTRWC) over serious breaches of responsible gambling (RG) standards stemming from a 2021 incident involving a single VIP customer.

According to the NTRWC, BlueBet failed to intervene or provide adequate RG safeguards as one customer gambled for up to 11 consecutive hours and lost a significant portion of AU$700,000 over several months. One of the most troubling findings was that the customer explicitly informed the operator they had run out of money—after which the company’s VIP manager allegedly encouraged continued gambling and extended further wagering opportunities.

As part of the penalty, BlueBet must return AU$522,020 to the affected customer, on top of the fine. The regulator described the operator’s actions as “unacceptable” and criticized the company for prioritizing profit over player welfare.

The Commission also found no evidence that the operator made any effort to express concern or act on warning signs of gambling harm. BlueBet has denied failing to meet its responsibilities, but the regulator concluded that the operator missed multiple opportunities for appropriate intervention.

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