bet365 has been ordered to strengthen its anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing controls in Australia after the country’s financial watchdog identified weaknesses in the operator’s compliance systems.
The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) has entered into a legally binding enforceable undertaking with the bookmaker, requiring bet365 to improve how it assesses financial crime risks and monitors suspicious activity.
The agreement follows an independent audit of bet365’s operations, which found that improvements were needed to bring the company’s systems in line with regulatory expectations. The operator must now introduce a continuous risk assessment framework supported by clear processes and strengthen its ability to detect and report suspicious transactions as threats develop.
AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Thomas said gambling operators remain a key area of focus because of the sector’s exposure to money laundering risks. He highlighted that betting companies handle large volumes of fast-moving transactions, often through digital channels, creating vulnerabilities that criminals may attempt to exploit.
The regulator stressed that businesses must regularly update their controls to keep pace with changing risks, warning that weak systems can create wider consequences beyond individual operators.
The action against bet365 forms part of AUSTRAC’s broader review of Australia’s gambling sector. The regulator has increased pressure on operators following reforms introduced through the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Bill, which was passed in November 2024 to close compliance gaps and better align Australia with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards.
bet365 is not the only major operator to face regulatory intervention. AUSTRAC launched legal proceedings against Entain Australia in December 2024 over alleged systemic breaches of AML/CTF laws, with the case scheduled to reach the Federal Court of Australia in November 2026.
Flutter-owned Sportsbet was also required to improve its AML framework after AUSTRAC raised concerns about its customer monitoring and risk assessment measures. The regulator recently confirmed Sportsbet had completed the required upgrades to its systems, governance, and controls, but warned that operators in high-risk sectors must continue maintaining strong safeguards against criminal misuse.