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AUSTRAC has placed Bet365 Australia under a binding AML remediation plan after audits found gaps in how the bookmaker assessed risk, monitored customers and handled suspicious activity. Good to know Bet365 Australia trades through Hillside (Australia New Media) Pty Ltd. AUSTRAC accepted an enforceable undertaking that keeps the operator under regulator oversight until remediation ends. A midway auditor report falls due by December 31, 2026, with a final report due by July 30, 2027. Bet365 Australia Given 2027 AML Deadline Bet365 Australia must rebuild parts of its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing controls under an enforceable undertaking accepted by AUSTRAC chief executive Brendan Thomas. The order follows years of review work rather than one isolated finding. AUSTRAC first raised concerns in August 2022, then required an external audit by November 2022. The review covered Bet365 AML/CTF practices between July 1, 2016 and November 2, 2022. Later reports kept the issue alive. An audit report dated September 12, 2023 and an independent review in February 2025 found serious weaknesses in the compliance framework. AUSTRAC said the gaps included risk management and suspicious activity reporting. The core breach relates to section 81 of the AML/CTF Act. AUSTRAC found Bet365 failed to maintain an adequate AML/CTF program. The regulator also found no ongoing customer due diligence for certain customers. Bet365 accepted the concerns and agreed to remedial action under section 197. The undertaking requires a revised money laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation financing risk assessment. Bet365 also needs stronger customer risk models, better control documentation and new testing measures. Australia Keeps Pressure On Betting AML Controls AUSTRAC has treated online wagering as a high-risk sector because customer activity can happen fast, remotely and at scale. Brendan Thomas made that point when AUSTRAC launched the earlier Bet365 investigation in 2024. “Corporate bookmakers must have robust systems in place to ensure they can manage and mitigate risks associated with money laundering and terrorism financing. “Businesses without adequate processes in place to manage those risks leave themselves vulnerable to exploitation by criminals.” Bet365 now has two major audit dates ahead. The independent auditor must file a progress report by December 31, 2026. A final report must reach AUSTRAC by July 30, 2027 and confirm full implementation of the agreed actions. The undertaking stays active until AUSTRAC cancels it or Bet365 withdraws from it. In practical terms, Bet365 must show that the new controls work, not just that policies exist on paper. AUSTRAC has also taken action across the wider bookmaker sector. Sportsbet recently completed remediation under a separate enforceable undertaking after AUSTRAC raised concerns about risk assessment, customer monitoring and suspicious matter reporting. Entain also faces civil penalty proceedings launched by AUSTRAC in December 2024 over alleged AML/CTF failings. Entain said at the time that there had been “certain deficiencies” in its previous AML/CTF compliance programme, while disputing some allegations and interpretations. For Bet365, the next phase centers on proof. Better risk scoring, more effective ongoing customer checks and cleaner suspicious activity reporting will decide whether AUSTRAC accepts the remediation by 2027. FAQ What did AUSTRAC require from Bet365 Australia? AUSTRAC required Bet365 Australia to improve AML/CTF controls through an enforceable undertaking. The plan covers risk assessment, customer risk models, control testing and compliance documentation. Which company operates Bet365 in Australia? Bet365 operates in Australia through Hillside (Australia New Media) Pty Ltd. What did AUSTRAC find? AUSTRAC found that Bet365 did not maintain an adequate AML/CTF program and lacked ongoing customer due diligence for certain customers. When does Bet365 need to complete the remediation? The auditor must submit a midway report by December 31, 2026 and a final report by July 30, 2027.

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