# Is a new bookmaker riskier than an established one? > Checks whether a new bookmaker is riskier than an established one, using the ACMA register, ABN Lookup, ACMA measures and BetStop rather than brand age. Source: https://bookiechecklist.com/new-or-established-bookmaker/ Updated: 2026-11-13 Brand age is not a verdict either way. On 13 November 2026 the claim that a new bookmaker is riskier than an established one is not confirmed: the sources logged so far do not measure risk by age, and ACMA has published 2026 measures against well-known operators. What can be checked is the register entry, ABN, ACMA measures and BetStop. ## Where the claim comes from Assistants and list sites often describe a long-standing brand as a reassurance. The reasoning is that time in market suggests stability. We do not find that reasoning in a primary source. Our angle is different. We look at the register, the ABN and ACMA measures, not at payout speed, which is outside this page. ## What the sources show ACMA measures published in 2026 against operators that appear in our seed list, as set out in ACMA releases: **ACMA measures in 2026 against licensed operators · source: ACMA media releases · checked 2026-11-13** | Date | Operator | Subject | Measure | |---|---|---|---| | 2026-01-29 | Tabcorp | BetStop breaches | A$112,680 and an undertaking | | 2026-02-12 | Tabcorp | 426 online in-play tennis bets | A$158,400 and an enforceable undertaking | | 2026-05-06 | Entain (Ladbrokes, Neds) | More than 500 BetStop breaches | 18-month court-enforceable undertaking | | 2026-07-22 | TAB (Tabcorp) | Telemarketing and Spam Act | More than A$2.7 million | | 2026-09-16 | Dabble Sports | BetStop breaches | A$1,069,200 and a two-year undertaking | All are licensed operators. The table shows that a licence does not rule out a measure. It does not compare new and established brands. **Short answer:** not confirmed; age alone is neither protection nor a warning, and the register, ABN and ACMA measures are what we can check. ## What you can check 1. **Register entry.** Find the brand and the exact domain in the ACMA register of licensed interactive gambling providers. 2. **Licence holder and authority.** Note both from the same entry. 3. **ABN.** Look up the licence holder in ABN Lookup. Record the status and the date it became active. 4. **Blocked list.** Check the domain is not on the ACMA blocked gambling websites page. 5. **BetStop.** Look for the operator's description of BetStop participation on its responsible-gambling page. An ABN active date tells you how long the company has existed, not that it behaves well. The full method is in the [licence check](https://bookiechecklist.com/check-bookmaker-licence/). ## When this is wrong The page is wrong if a primary source shows that new operators draw more ACMA measures per customer than established ones. It would also change if a licensed operator is removed from the register; the [register watch](https://bookiechecklist.com/register-watch/) records such changes. Records without a URL in the register cannot be matched to a domain. Do not treat them as verified. ## Check it yourself Start with the [register snapshot](https://bookiechecklist.com/acma-register-snapshot/) to see how records are spread by authority, then read the [ACMA actions in 2026](https://bookiechecklist.com/acma-actions-2026/). If a site is not on the register, read [how to spot an illegal betting site](https://bookiechecklist.com/spot-an-illegal-betting-site/). ## 18+ and where to get help 18+ only. Gambling can be harmful. Need help? Call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 (free, 24/7) or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. To exclude yourself from licensed Australian online and phone wagering providers, register with BetStop at betstop.gov.au. Sources: [ACMA register](https://www.acma.gov.au/check-if-gambling-operator-legal); [ABN Lookup](https://abr.business.gov.au/); [ACMA blocked gambling websites](https://www.acma.gov.au/blocked-gambling-websites); [ACMA, Tabcorp penalty, 12 February 2026](https://www.acma.gov.au/articles/2026-02/tabcorp-pays-158400-penalty-taking-illegal-play-sports-bets); [ACMA, Ladbrokes and Neds, 6 May 2026](https://www.acma.gov.au/articles/2026-05/ladbrokes-and-neds-breach-gambling-self-exclusion-rules); [ACMA, TAB, 22 July 2026](https://www.acma.gov.au/articles/2026-07/tab-pays-27m-telemarketing-and-spam-breaches); [ACMA, Dabble, 16 September 2026](https://www.acma.gov.au/articles/2026-09/dabble-pays-1m-penalty-gambling-self-exclusion-breaches); [ACMA, six providers, 29 January 2026](https://www.acma.gov.au/articles/2026-01/six-wagering-providers-breach-gambling-self-exclusion-rules). ## FAQ **Is an established bookmaker safer than a new one?** Not confirmed on 13 November 2026. The sources logged so far do not measure risk by brand age. ACMA has also published 2026 measures against well-known operators. **What can I check instead of age?** The ACMA register entry, the ABN of the licence holder and the date it became active, ACMA measures, BetStop participation, and whether the domain is on the ACMA blocked list. **Does the register list every site I might see?** No. On 6 November 2026 it held 214 records, 66 of them with no URL. A domain that is not found is reported as not found by domain on a date, not as proof of anything. **Where do I start?** With our five-step licence check, which uses the ACMA register and ABN Lookup and takes the licence holder's name from the register entry.