Entain Australia (Entain Group Pty Ltd) today filed its Defence in response to AUSTRAC’s amended statement of claim in the Federal Court of Australia.

Entain acknowledges there were certain deficiencies in its previous anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) compliance program (Program) during the period December 2018 and August 2024.

At the same time, Entain disputes a number of the allegations and interpretations made by AUSTRAC. 

Entain also notes that over the last two years, it has undertaken a substantial transformation of its approach to compliance and strengthened its Program with:
•    A tenfold increase in AML/CTF staffing;
•    Tens of millions of dollars invested in new systems and technology;
•    Closure of higher risk channels – including all cash payment channels, which previously accounted for less than 2% of deposits; 
•    Closure of all 17 customer accounts in question – prior to legal proceedings, some as far back as 2020;
•    New governance, controls, processes and oversight of risks; and, 
•    A new leadership team committed to a compliance-first culture.

Entain has fully cooperated with AUSTRAC and continues to engage constructively and in good faith.

Andrew Vouris, CEO of Entain Australia & New Zealand, said:

“We sincerely regret that our old program didn’t meet expectations. We followed expert advice at the time but, looking back, we recognise the old program missed the mark. 

"We’ve acknowledged our shortcomings, taken responsibility, and spent the last two years learning from them and fixing them. 

"Entain has fundamentally transformed its approach to compliance and now operates a market-leading program, underpinned by a compliance-first culture – to Win, But not at all costs.”

Media Contacts: 

Australia – Trenton Akers

[email protected]  
+61 422 828 895

New Zealand – Matt Smith 

[email protected]  
+64 27 228 5423

Entain plc (and Sodali & Co)  

[email protected]
[email protected]   
+44 (0) 20 7250 1446