No Penalty For Bookmaker That Targeted Problem Gamblers

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


PointsBet contravened laws associating with BetStop - the nationwide self-exclusion register, by delaying closing accounts of customers who had actually signed up and sending marketing messages to self-excluded people.


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 prohibited online gaming websites have actually been blocked following ACMA investigations. Illegal betting services are unlikely to have consumer securities and users run the risk of losing their money. View info about obstructed websites at
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- ACMA (@acmadotgov) May 14, 2025


ACMA said a punitive damages was "not offered" for the NSER breaches due to the "complex and unique matters investigated" and PoinstBet would rather be subject to "detailed court-enforceable undertakings".


"A failure to adhere to an enforceable endeavor can lead to court-ordered punitive damages," ACMA said in a statement.


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


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


There were "no excuses" for gambling business that fail to comprehend their legal responsibilities given the dangers to people experiencing betting damages, ACMA Chair Nerida O'Loughlin stated.


"It is deeply concerning that these failures have impacted PointsBet's consumers, a few of whom had taken proactive actions to omit themselves from online wagering," she said.


People signing up to the NSER were taking favorable steps and and their choice "need to not be jeopardized by companies like PointsBet", Ms O'Loughlin said


ACMA discovered that no omitted customers were able to put bets with PointsBet during the duration examined.


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


"This action must serve as a cautioning to all betting companies that they need to fulfill their legal commitments or face the consequences," Ms O'Loughlin said.


PointsBet was fined $500,800 for 705 e-mails sent in 2023 that consisted of a direct link to its betting items without an "unsubscribe" function.


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