No Penalty For Bookmaker That Targeted Problem Gamblers

An online bookmaker that sent out numerous marketing messages to individuals on the self-exclusion register has prevented a punitive damages, but has paid a $500,000 fine for sending out spam to clients.


PointsBet contravened laws associating with BetStop - the nationwide self-exclusion register, by postponing closing accounts of clients who had 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 illegal online gambling sites have been blocked following ACMA examinations. Illegal gaming services are unlikely to have consumer securities and users risk losing their cash. View info about obstructed sites at
https://t.co/NaQKPrOEYV pic.twitter.com/AGNfPIGqRk


- ACMA (@acmadotgov) May 14, 2025


ACMA said a punitive damages was "not offered" for the NSER breaches due to the "complex and novel matters examined" and PoinstBet would instead undergo "extensive court-enforceable endeavors".


"A failure to comply with an enforceable endeavor can lead to court-ordered financial charges," ACMA said in a declaration.


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


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


There were "no reasons" for gambling business that fail to understand their legal responsibilities given the risks to individuals experiencing betting damages, ACMA Chair Nerida O'Loughlin stated.


"It is deeply concerning that these failures have affected PointsBet's consumers, a few of whom had actually taken proactive steps to exclude themselves from online betting," she said.


People registering to the NSER were taking favorable actions and and their decision "need to not be compromised by business like PointsBet", Ms O'Loughlin stated


ACMA discovered that no excluded consumers were able to position bets with PointsBet throughout the duration investigated.


The endeavors devote PointsBet to evaluations of its compliance with spam and NSER laws, actioning any advised enhancements and supplying regular training for all pertinent staff.


"This action should serve as an alerting to all wagering suppliers that they must fulfill their legal commitments or deal with the consequences," 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 including an "unsubscribe" function.


National Gambling 1800 858 858