PointsBet Fined Over AU$500,000 for Breaching Australian Gambling Regulations

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Published: 20 May 2025

2 min

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has hit PointsBet with a hefty fine for multiple infringements concerning spam and self-exclusion regulations, highlighting the importance of legal adherence in the online betting industry.

Key Takeaways

PointsBet fined AU$500,800 by ACMA for violating marketing and self-exclusion rules.

Over 800 messages identified as breaches, including emails and texts without necessary compliance details.

PointsBet sent marketing materials to 508 individuals registered with the national self-exclusion register (NSER), a direct violation of Australian law.

Self-excluded individuals placed no bets during the investigation period.

The operator is now committed to improving compliance procedures, following court-enforceable undertakings.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has fined Pointsbet AU$500,800 (US$321,706) for failing to adhere to strict marketing and gambling self-exclusion regulations.

The action underscores the critical importance of following legal requirements in the increasingly scrutinised online betting sector.

PointsBet’s Regulatory Missteps

Between September and November 2023, PointsBet was found to have sent 705 emails related to betting products that conspicuously lacked an unsubscribe option, a fundamental requirement under Australia’s spam laws.

These emails were misleadingly described as non-commercial by PointsBet, yet clearly served promotional purposes. Additionally, PointsBet misstepped by sending seven marketing emails without recipient consent and dispatching 90 commercial texts devoid of sender identification, contravening spam legislation.

Violating Self-Exclusion Laws

More gravely, PointsBet breached regulations concerning individuals who had self-excluded from gambling.

Investigation revealed that 508 marketing messages were wrongly sent to such individuals in just two months, directly flouting the principles of the BetStop national self-exclusion register (NSER). These laws are designed to provide a lifeline for individuals seeking to distance themselves from gambling activities, making adherence by companies not just legal, but morally imperative.

Nerida O’Loughlin, ACMA Chair, expressed serious concerns over PointsBet’s infractions, emphasizing the company’s obligation to respect the choices of self-excluded individuals. Such actions undermine the essence of the NSER and demonstrate a disappointing oversight on the part of PointsBet.

A Commitment to Betterment

Despite these breaches, it was acknowledged that none of the self-excluded individuals were able to place bets with PointsBet during the investigation period, thanks to the protective mechanism of the NSER.

Moving forward, PointsBet has agreed to court-enforceable undertakings promising thorough reviews of their compliance practices. These include implementing all recommended improvements and boosting staff training to prevent future breaches.

This series of events has sent shockwaves through the online wagering community, emphasising the non-negotiable nature of compliance with legal standards. ACMA’s actions against PointsBet serve as a stark warning to all online betting providers about the existential importance of meeting regulatory obligations.

As PointsBet embarks on its journey of compliance improvement, the industry watches closely, reminded of the constant scrutiny and the high stakes of adherence to law and ethics in the protection of vulnerable consumers. More to come.