No Penalty For Bookmaker That Targeted Problem Gamblers

An online bookie that sent hundreds of marketing messages to individuals on the self-exclusion register has avoided a punitive damages, 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 clients who had registered and sending out 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 illegal online gaming have actually been obstructed following ACMA examinations. Illegal gambling services are not likely to have customer defenses and users run the risk of losing their money. View details about obstructed sites 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 novel matters investigated" and PoinstBet would rather be subject to "comprehensive court-enforceable endeavors".


"A failure to comply with an enforceable undertaking can cause court-ordered financial charges," ACMA stated in a statement.


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


By law, people 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 risks to individuals experiencing gambling harms, ACMA Chair Nerida O'Loughlin said.


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


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


ACMA found that no left out customers had the ability to put bets with PointsBet throughout the duration investigated.


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


"This action needs to function as a warning to all wagering providers that they should fulfill their legal commitments or face the repercussions," Ms O'Loughlin stated.


PointsBet was fined $500,800 for 705 e-mails sent in 2023 which contained a direct link to its wagering products without consisting of an "unsubscribe" function.


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