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 actually prevented a punitive damages, however has paid a $500,000 fine for sending out spam to clients.


PointsBet contravened laws associating with BetStop - the nationwide self-exclusion register, by delaying closing accounts of customers who had registered 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 discovered.


More illegal online gambling sites have actually been blocked following ACMA investigations. Illegal betting services are not likely to have customer securities and users risk losing their cash. View info about obstructed sites at
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- ACMA (@acmadotgov) May 14, 2025


ACMA said a monetary charge was "not available" for the NSER breaches due to the "complex and novel matters investigated" and PoinstBet would instead go through "comprehensive court-enforceable undertakings".


"A failure to adhere to an enforceable endeavor can result in court-ordered monetary penalties," 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, people registered with the NSER needs to not be sent out marketing materials from a licensed betting service.


There were "no excuses" for gambling business that fail to understand their legal commitments provided the risks to individuals experiencing betting damages, Nerida O'Loughlin stated.


"It is deeply worrying that these failures have actually impacted PointsBet's customers, some of whom had taken proactive actions to exclude themselves from online wagering," she said.


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


ACMA discovered that no left out clients had the ability to put bets with PointsBet during the period investigated.


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


"This action must work as a cautioning to all betting companies that they should meet their legal responsibilities or face the effects," Ms O'Loughlin said.


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


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