No Penalty For Bookmaker That Targeted Problem Gamblers

An online bookmaker that sent out hundreds of marketing messages to individuals on the self-exclusion register has avoided a punitive damages, however has actually paid a $500,000 fine for sending out spam to customers.


PointsBet contravened laws relating to BetStop - the nationwide self-exclusion register, by postponing closing accounts of clients who had signed up and sending out marketing messages to self-excluded people.


It also sent more than 800 messages that breached Australia's e-marketing laws, an examination by the Australian Communications and Media Authority found.


More unlawful online gambling websites have actually been obstructed following ACMA examinations. Illegal betting services are not likely to have customer protections and users run the risk of losing their cash. View details about at
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- ACMA (@acmadotgov) May 14, 2025


ACMA stated a financial charge was "not available" for the NSER breaches due to the "complex and novel matters investigated" and PoinstBet would rather undergo "detailed court-enforceable undertakings".


"A failure to comply with an enforceable undertaking can cause court-ordered punitive damages," ACMA stated in a declaration.


The examination found PointsBet sent out 508 marketing messages to self-excluded individuals in August and September 2023.


By law, individuals registered with the NSER must not be sent marketing products from a licensed wagering service.


There were "no excuses" for betting business that fail to comprehend their legal responsibilities offered the threats to people experiencing gambling harms, ACMA Chair Nerida O'Loughlin said.


"It is deeply worrying that these failures have affected PointsBet's clients, some of whom had taken proactive steps to exclude themselves from online wagering," she stated.


People registering to the NSER were taking positive actions and and their choice "should not be compromised by companies like PointsBet", Ms O'Loughlin stated


ACMA found that no left out customers had the ability to put bets with PointsBet throughout the period examined.


The undertakings devote PointsBet to reviews of its compliance with spam and NSER laws, actioning any suggested enhancements and providing regular training for all relevant personnel.


"This action needs to function as an alerting to all betting suppliers that they must satisfy their legal responsibilities or deal with the effects," Ms O'Loughlin stated.


PointsBet was fined $500,800 for 705 e-mails sent in 2023 which contained a direct link to its wagering products without including an "unsubscribe" function.


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