No Penalty For Bookmaker That Targeted Problem Gamblers

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


PointsBet contravened laws connecting 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 out more than 800 messages that breached Australia's e-marketing laws, an investigation by the Australian Communications and Media Authority found.


More illegal online gaming websites have been blocked following ACMA examinations. Illegal gambling services are unlikely to have customer defenses and users risk losing their money. View details about obstructed sites at
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- ACMA (@acmadotgov) May 14, 2025


ACMA stated a punitive damages was "not available" for the NSER breaches due to the "complex and unique matters investigated" and PoinstBet would instead undergo "thorough court-enforceable endeavors".


"A failure to comply with an enforceable undertaking can result in court-ordered monetary penalties," ACMA said in a statement.


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


By law, people signed up with the NSER should not be sent marketing materials from a certified wagering service.


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


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


People signing up to the NSER were taking positive steps and and their decision "need to not be compromised by business like PointsBet", Ms O'Loughlin said


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


The undertakings dedicate PointsBet to evaluations of its compliance with spam and NSER laws, actioning any suggested improvements and offering regular training for all pertinent staff.


"This action ought to serve as an alerting to all wagering suppliers that they should meet their legal commitments or deal with the repercussions," Ms O'Loughlin said.


was fined $500,800 for 705 emails sent in 2023 that contained a direct link to its betting items without including an "unsubscribe" function.


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