No Penalty For Bookmaker That Targeted Problem Gamblers
An online bookmaker that sent hundreds of marketing messages to individuals on the self-exclusion register has prevented a punitive damages, but has actually paid a $500,000 fine for sending spam to consumers.
PointsBet contravened laws associating with BetStop - the nationwide self-exclusion register, by delaying closing accounts of clients who had actually signed up and sending marketing messages to self-excluded people.
It likewise sent out more than 800 messages that breached Australia's e-marketing laws, an examination by the Australian Communications and Media Authority discovered.
More unlawful online gaming sites have actually been obstructed following ACMA investigations. Illegal betting services are not likely to have customer defenses and users risk losing their cash. View details about obstructed websites 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 examined" and PoinstBet would instead go through "detailed court-enforceable endeavors".
"A failure to comply with an enforceable endeavor can lead to court-ordered financial penalties," ACMA said in a statement.
The investigation found PointsBet sent out 508 marketing messages to self-excluded people in August and September 2023.
By law, people registered with the NSER needs to not be sent marketing materials from a certified wagering service.
There were "no excuses" for betting companies that stop working to understand their legal commitments provided the dangers to people experiencing betting damages, ACMA Chair stated.
"It is deeply worrying that these failures have impacted PointsBet's customers, some of whom had taken proactive actions to omit themselves from online wagering," she stated.
People registering to the NSER were taking positive actions and and their choice "should not be jeopardized by business like PointsBet", Ms O'Loughlin said
ACMA found that no left out clients were able to place bets with PointsBet during the duration investigated.
The undertakings devote PointsBet to evaluations of its compliance with spam and NSER laws, actioning any suggested improvements and supplying routine training for all appropriate staff.
"This action must serve as a cautioning to all wagering companies that they need to fulfill their legal responsibilities or deal with the effects," Ms O'Loughlin stated.
PointsBet was fined $500,800 for 705 e-mails sent out in 2023 which contained a direct link to its wagering products without consisting of an "unsubscribe" function.
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