🔒 🔒 More punters added to Tabcorp’s banned list

Tabcorp continues to issue banning notices, advising multiple customers over the past few days that their business fell outside of its risk appetite and that it would no longer allow them to place bets or collect winning vouchers.

The Straight understands that several punters, who were spared similar notices earlier this year, were informed late last week that their custom was no longer welcomed.

“Tabcorp has determined that continued dealings with you are outside of its risk appetite and that you are therefore banned permanently from accessing Tabcorp’s wagering services across its full Australian network,” the notices sighted by this publication say.

The punters were told that they were banned from placing bets with any Tabcorp entity, in person, online, by telephone or by any other means.

They were also told they were unable to cash in any outstanding vouchers, collect any winners and are prohibited from entering any TAB agency.

“Please note that if you place any bet or seek to collect any winnings in breach of this notice (whether directly or via a third party) Tabcorp will not pay out any associated winnings,” the notice said.

“Where any ‘winning’ tickets for bets placed in breach of this notice are presented for payment, the underlying bets will be voided. Similarly, where vouchers are presented in breach of this notice, these will be voided.”

The notice said the decision “has been made in good faith, consistent with Tabcorp’s regulatory and compliance obligations and for the purpose of managing and mitigating its risk”.

The Straight was told that the punters who had received the latest notices were all located in NSW.

Tabcorp has denied that there was any specifically timed campaign around these decisions and that it regularly reviewed its customers to ensure they met compliance standards. 

“Tabcorp does not comment on specific customers,” a spokesman said 

“Dealings with customers and customer accounts are governed by a range of regulations and applicable terms and conditions. 

“Ensuring continued commitment to our obligations remains critically important.”

A document obtained by The Straight earlier this year showed that Tabcorp had banned 33 punters for accessing its services in the previous 12 months, taking its total number of excluded punters to 100.

Those punters had received an almost identical document as the one issued last week. It is believed that different conditions were imposed on different customers this time around.  

The previous list, published in May, includes known underworld criminals, convicted fraudsters, professional punters, sporting identities and former licensed racing participants.

Also included was former fugitive Tony Mokbel, who according to the Herald Sun, successfully claimed $5400 in outstanding winnings from Tabcorp after what was said to be an impasse involving the provision of suitable identification.

It is believed that was what led to Mokbel’s name appearing on the banned list. It is not clear if he is still prevented from betting with Tabcorp.

Any customer making a cash transaction of $5000 or more must provide verifiable identification to a wagering company before a transaction can be processed.

The focus on customer compliance has become sharper across the industry with AUSTRAC currently investigating Tabcorp and pursuing civil action against Entain.