Expert reports criticised in AUSTRAC case against Entain

Australian Federal Court Justice Cameron Moore raised concerns about the expert reports prepared by both parties in AUSTRAC's case against Entain. At a hearing held this month, the judge said that some conclusions in the AUSTRAC report were based on findings that were not in the internal risk register, rather than on expertise. He also said that some sections of the report would not be admitted as evidence.

The judge said the examples in Entain's report raised a similar problem. The parties were asked to revise their reports before the scheduled hearing. These criticisms concern the expert evidence and are not a final ruling on AUSTRAC's allegations.

AUSTRAC filed a civil penalty case in December 2024 against Entain Group Pty Ltd, which operates brands such as Ladbrokes and Neds. According to the regulator, the company failed to adequately identify and assess money laundering and terrorism financing risks. It is also alleged that approximately 95.95 million euros were spent on 17 high-risk customers without proper background checks. Weaknesses in identity and source-of-funds checks where third parties deposited money are also among the allegations.

Entain has said it cooperated with the investigation and has begun improving its anti-money laundering systems in Australia. The company stated that the outcome is uncertain and that any possible penalty would be at the discretion of the Federal Court. The parties are also holding mediation talks ahead of the scheduled hearing. Meanwhile, on 28 October 2026, the Federal Court ordered The Star Entertainment Group to pay a penalty of approximately 164.1 million euros for breaching its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing obligations. That decision concerns a different operator and does not determine the allegations against Entain.