No Penalty For Bookmaker That Targeted Problem Gamblers

An online bookie that sent out hundreds of marketing messages to people on the self-exclusion register has prevented a punitive damages, but has actually paid a $500,000 fine for sending out spam to consumers.


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


It also sent more than 800 messages that breached Australia's e-marketing laws, an examination by the Australian Communications and Media Authority discovered.


More unlawful online betting websites have actually been obstructed following ACMA investigations. Illegal gambling services are unlikely to have customer securities and users run the risk of losing their cash. View info about obstructed sites at
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- ACMA (@acmadotgov) May 14, 2025


ACMA said a financial penalty was "not readily available" for the NSER breaches due to the "complex and unique matters investigated" and PoinstBet would instead go through "detailed court-enforceable undertakings".


"A failure to abide by an enforceable endeavor can cause court-ordered monetary penalties," ACMA stated in a declaration.


The examination found 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 betting service.


There were "no excuses" for betting companies that fail to comprehend their legal obligations given the threats to individuals experiencing gambling damages, ACMA Chair Nerida O'Loughlin said.


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


People registering to the NSER were taking favorable steps and and their choice "should not be compromised by business like PointsBet", Ms O'Loughlin said


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


The undertakings dedicate PointsBet to evaluations of its compliance with spam and NSER laws, actioning any advised improvements and supplying regular training for all appropriate personnel.


"This action ought to serve as a warning to all wagering suppliers that they need to satisfy their legal responsibilities or face the repercussions," Ms O'Loughlin stated.


PointsBet was fined $500,800 for 705 sent out in 2023 that contained a direct link to its wagering products without including an "unsubscribe" function.


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