No Penalty For Bookmaker That Targeted Problem Gamblers

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


PointsBet contravened laws connecting to BetStop - the national self-exclusion register, by postponing closing accounts of consumers who had actually signed up and sending out marketing messages to self-excluded people.


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


More unlawful online gambling websites have been obstructed following ACMA examinations. Illegal gaming services are not likely to have consumer defenses and users run the risk of losing their money. View info about blocked sites at
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- ACMA (@acmadotgov) May 14, 2025


ACMA said a punitive damages was "not readily available" for the NSER breaches due to the "complex and novel matters examined" and would rather undergo "thorough court-enforceable endeavors".


"A failure to abide by an enforceable undertaking can result in court-ordered punitive damages," ACMA said in a statement.


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


By law, individuals registered with the NSER must not be sent out marketing products from a licensed wagering service.


There were "no excuses" for betting companies that stop working to understand their legal obligations offered the threats to people experiencing gambling damages, ACMA Chair Nerida O'Loughlin stated.


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


People registering to the NSER were taking positive steps and and their choice "should not be jeopardized by companies like PointsBet", Ms O'Loughlin stated


ACMA discovered that no left out customers were able to position bets with PointsBet during the period investigated.


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


"This action must serve as an alerting to all wagering suppliers that they should fulfill their legal obligations or face the effects," Ms O'Loughlin said.


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


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