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 avoided a monetary penalty, however has paid a $500,000 fine for sending spam to customers.
PointsBet contravened laws relating to BetStop - the national self-exclusion register, by postponing closing accounts of customers who had signed up and sending out marketing messages to self-excluded individuals.
It also sent more than 800 messages that e-marketing laws, an investigation by the Australian Communications and Media Authority found.
More unlawful online gaming websites have actually been obstructed following ACMA examinations. Illegal gaming services are not likely to have consumer defenses and users run the risk of losing their money. View info about obstructed websites at
https://t.co/NaQKPrOEYV pic.twitter.com/AGNfPIGqRk
- ACMA (@acmadotgov) May 14, 2025
ACMA said a punitive damages was "not available" for the NSER breaches due to the "complex and unique matters examined" and PoinstBet would rather go through "detailed court-enforceable endeavors".
"A failure to abide by an enforceable endeavor can result in court-ordered financial charges," ACMA stated in a declaration.
The investigation found PointsBet sent 508 marketing messages to self-excluded individuals in August and September 2023.
By law, people registered with the NSER needs to not be sent marketing products from a certified betting service.
There were "no reasons" for betting business that fail to comprehend their legal responsibilities provided the threats to people experiencing betting harms, ACMA Chair Nerida O'Loughlin said.
"It is deeply concerning that these failures have affected PointsBet's consumers, a few of whom had actually taken proactive steps to omit themselves from online betting," she said.
People signing up to the NSER were taking favorable actions and and their decision "must not be jeopardized by companies like PointsBet", Ms O'Loughlin stated
ACMA discovered that no omitted consumers were able to position bets with PointsBet during the period examined.
The undertakings dedicate PointsBet to reviews of its compliance with spam and NSER laws, actioning any suggested enhancements and offering routine training for all appropriate staff.
"This action must serve as an alerting to all betting suppliers that they should fulfill their legal obligations or face 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 betting items without consisting of an "unsubscribe" function.
National Gambling Helpline 1800 858 858