No Penalty For Bookmaker That Targeted Problem Gamblers
An online bookie that sent hundreds of marketing messages to people on the self-exclusion register has actually prevented a financial charge, however has paid a $500,000 fine for sending out spam to consumers.
PointsBet contravened laws connecting to BetStop - the national self-exclusion register, by delaying closing accounts of clients who had signed up and sending out marketing messages to self-excluded people.
It likewise sent more than 800 messages that breached Australia's e-marketing laws, an investigation by the Australian Communications and Media Authority discovered.
More prohibited online gambling sites have been obstructed following ACMA investigations. Illegal betting services are unlikely to have consumer protections and users run the risk of losing their cash. View details about blocked sites at
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- ACMA (@acmadotgov) May 14, 2025
ACMA said a punitive damages was "not available" for the NSER breaches due to the "complex and novel matters investigated" and PoinstBet would rather go through "comprehensive court-enforceable undertakings".
"A failure to comply with an enforceable endeavor can result in court-ordered financial penalties," ACMA stated in a statement.
The examination discovered PointsBet sent 508 marketing messages to self-excluded individuals in August and September 2023.
By law, individuals signed up with the NSER should not be sent marketing materials from a licensed betting service.
There were "no reasons" for betting business that stop working to understand their legal responsibilities offered the dangers to individuals experiencing gambling harms, ACMA Chair Nerida O'Loughlin said.
"It is deeply worrying that these failures have actually impacted PointsBet's customers, a few of whom had taken proactive actions to omit themselves from online wagering," she said.
up to the NSER were taking favorable actions and and their choice "must not be jeopardized by business like PointsBet", Ms O'Loughlin stated
ACMA discovered that no omitted customers had the ability to place bets with PointsBet throughout the duration examined.
The endeavors dedicate PointsBet to reviews of its compliance with spam and NSER laws, actioning any advised enhancements and supplying regular training for all relevant staff.
"This action should serve as a warning to all wagering companies that they must fulfill their legal commitments or face the consequences," Ms O'Loughlin said.
PointsBet was fined $500,800 for 705 e-mails sent out in 2023 which contained a direct link to its betting items without including an "unsubscribe" function.
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