Entain AUSTRAC court case draws judge's criticism over expert evidence

Entain AUSTRAC court case has come under close watch after a Federal Court judge raised concerns about expert evidence from both sides. Justice Cameron Moore said the experts for Entain and AUSTRAC depended too much on what was in or missing from a single company document.

The trial is set to begin next month, in November 2026.

The case centres on claims that the company let 17 high-risk customers spend over $152 million without proper checks. The operator, which runs Ladbrokes and Neds in Australia, has since brought in new rules against money laundering and terrorism funding. These changes came after AUSTRAC, the national financial regulator, made its allegations public.

Judge questions expert approach

Justice Moore said AUSTRAC’s expert did not show real expertise. Instead, the expert looked at the company’s risk register and pointed out missing topics. The expert then said the operator’s risk checks were not good enough. Moore found the company’s expert did the same thing, focusing only on the same document.

Both sides were told they relied too much on one report and not enough on wider evidence. Moore’s comments came just days after he ordered The Star Entertainment to pay a $260 million fine for breaking money laundering and terrorism funding rules on 28 October 2026.

The Star Entertainment case involved breaches of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws. The fine of $260 million was one of the largest ever given to an Australian gambling operator. Justice Moore’s ruling in that case was seen as a warning to other operators, including Entain.

Regulatory scrutiny and industry response

The Entain AUSTRAC court case could mark a change in how betting operators are held to account in Australia. In August 2026, consumer advocate Adam Glezer said the Australian Communications and Media Authority had fined operators only twice for breaking BetStop rules since the service began.

Glezer said at least twelve betting companies had broken these rules since BetStop’s launch.

The gambling sector has faced strong backlash in recent months. This pressure led Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to bring in stricter rules for operators in 2026. Some politicians say these changes are too soft and want a full ban on gambling ads.

The package of marketing rules was criticised by Albanese’s political rivals for not going far enough.

There is also debate about the lack of a national gambling regulator in Australia. Some believe the absence of a single body makes it harder to enforce rules.