Latest news with #PointsBet
ABC News
16-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
PointsBet fined $500,000 after spamming customers with gambling ads
An online gambling provider has been fined $500,000 after a communications watchdog investigation found the company sent more than 800 messages that breached Australia's spam laws. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) also found that PointsBet Australia breached laws related to BetStop — the National Self-Exclusion Register (NSER) — which allows people to exclude themselves from online gambling. BetStop was launched by the Albanese government in August 2023 to deliver a system that would protect gamblers who wanted to quit. The regulator found PointsBet sent 508 marketing messages between August and September 2023 to people on the self-exclusion register. Between September and November 2023, the online gambling provider sent 705 emails that contained a direct link to its betting products without including an unsubscribe function. The online gambling provider also sent 90 commercial texts without sender contact information. ACMA chair Nerida O'Loughlin said it was concerning that PointsBet customers who took steps to exclude themselves from online gambling were receiving gambling material. "Wagering providers must also appropriately identify where messages promote or advertise their services and ensure that those messages comply with the rules, including the obligation to promote the NSER." The watchdog found no customers who had registered to be excluded from online gambling had placed bets with the company during the period investigated. A spokesperson for PointsBet said the investigation was launched after it self-reported a system failure in 2023 with the implementation of the BetStop system. "While the company does not necessarily agree with the basis of all the findings, nor the quantum of the penalty, PointsBet put forward, and the ACMA accepted, the enforceable undertakings pursuant to which the company will review and strengthen its compliance processes," a spokesperson said. "In terms of the spam findings, the emails 'containing a direct link to its betting products' were transactional, responsible gambling communications which included the PointsBet logo that unintentionally had an embedded link to our website. They were not intended to be commercial in nature. "In relation [to] BetStop, the ACMA found that none of the impacted customers were able to login or place a bet while registered on BetStop. Throughout the investigation, PointsBet was transparent and cooperative with ACMA." Monash University's Charles Livingstone, who is a gambling researcher, said the online wagering industry in Australia makes almost $9 billion annually, so a $500,000 penalty was a "drop in the bucket". Dr Livingstone added that those who had self excluded had taken steps to cancel their account, and create distance from gambling. Once you register for BetStop, licensed Australian online and phone gambling providers will not be able to: "It's really dangerous. It could lead them straight back into a dangerous habit that they have themselves decided they no longer want to participate in, and it shows gross irresponsibility." Australians lose more than $25 billion a year on legal forms of gambling, representing the largest per capita losses in the world, according to official government research. Dr Livingstone was critical of the federal government's "delayed response" to key recommendations from the You Win Some, You Lose More report stemming from a parliamentary inquiry into online gambling. Those recommendations included banning all advertising for online gambling and establishing a national regulator for online gambling. "The number one would be establishing a national regulator with effective power to stop these practices," Dr Livingstone said. "Financial penalties are so much water off a duck's back for many of these wagering operators, and they can absorb very significant financial penalties because they're making what we call an addiction surplus. "If we had a national regulator, we could enforce universal standards, and we would find much more compliance." The calls for a national regulator for gambling has been echoed by gambling reform advocate Tim Costello. "It's absolutely time for the prime minister and the Albanese government to respond to the [You Win Some, You Lose More] report they've had now nearly three years."
Perth Now
15-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
No penalty for bookmaker that targeted problem gamblers
An online bookmaker that sent hundreds of marketing messages to people on the self-exclusion register has avoided a financial penalty, but has paid a $500,000 fine for sending spam to customers. PointsBet contravened laws relating to BetStop - the national self-exclusion register, by delaying closing accounts of customers who had registered and sending marketing messages to self-excluded people. It also sent more than 800 messages that breached Australia's e-marketing laws, an investigation by the Australian Communications and Media Authority found. ACMA said a financial penalty was "not available" for the NSER breaches due to the "complex and novel matters investigated" and PoinstBet would instead be subject to "comprehensive court-enforceable undertakings". "A failure to comply with an enforceable undertaking can lead to court-ordered financial penalties," ACMA said in a statement. The investigation found PointsBet sent 508 marketing messages to self-excluded individuals in August and September 2023. By law, people registered with the NSER must not be sent marketing materials from a licensed wagering service. There were "no excuses" for gambling companies that fail to understand their legal obligations given the risks to people experiencing gambling harms, ACMA Chair Nerida O'Loughlin said. "It is deeply concerning that these failures have impacted PointsBet's customers, some of whom had taken proactive steps to exclude themselves from online wagering," she said. People signing up to the NSER were taking positive steps and and their decision "must not be compromised by companies like PointsBet", Ms O'Loughlin said ACMA found that no excluded customers were able to place bets with PointsBet during the period investigated. The undertakings commit PointsBet to reviews of its compliance with spam and NSER laws, actioning any recommended improvements and providing regular training for all relevant staff. "This action should serve as a warning to all wagering providers that they must meet their legal obligations or face the consequences," Ms O'Loughlin said. PointsBet was fined $500,800 for 705 emails sent in 2023 that contained a direct link to its betting products without including an "unsubscribe" function. National Gambling Helpline 1800 858 858
West Australian
15-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
No penalty for bookmaker that targeted problem gamblers
An online bookmaker that sent hundreds of marketing messages to people on the self-exclusion register has avoided a financial penalty, but has paid a $500,000 fine for sending spam to customers. PointsBet contravened laws relating to BetStop - the national self-exclusion register, by delaying closing accounts of customers who had registered and sending marketing messages to self-excluded people. It also sent more than 800 messages that breached Australia's e-marketing laws, an investigation by the Australian Communications and Media Authority found. ACMA said a financial penalty was "not available" for the NSER breaches due to the "complex and novel matters investigated" and PoinstBet would instead be subject to "comprehensive court-enforceable undertakings". "A failure to comply with an enforceable undertaking can lead to court-ordered financial penalties," ACMA said in a statement. The investigation found PointsBet sent 508 marketing messages to self-excluded individuals in August and September 2023. By law, people registered with the NSER must not be sent marketing materials from a licensed wagering service. There were "no excuses" for gambling companies that fail to understand their legal obligations given the risks to people experiencing gambling harms, ACMA Chair Nerida O'Loughlin said. "It is deeply concerning that these failures have impacted PointsBet's customers, some of whom had taken proactive steps to exclude themselves from online wagering," she said. People signing up to the NSER were taking positive steps and and their decision "must not be compromised by companies like PointsBet", Ms O'Loughlin said ACMA found that no excluded customers were able to place bets with PointsBet during the period investigated. The undertakings commit PointsBet to reviews of its compliance with spam and NSER laws, actioning any recommended improvements and providing regular training for all relevant staff. "This action should serve as a warning to all wagering providers that they must meet their legal obligations or face the consequences," Ms O'Loughlin said. PointsBet was fined $500,800 for 705 emails sent in 2023 that contained a direct link to its betting products without including an "unsubscribe" function. National Gambling Helpline 1800 858 858
Daily Telegraph
14-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Telegraph
Online betting guru sells Byron Bay home for likely loss
Andrew Fahey, the PointsBet cloud-based wagering platform co-founder, and his partner Katrina Luland have secured the sale of their two Bryon properties. Their Myocum retreat, Las Palmas, listed with a $9m hopes in 2023 has finally been sold. Myocum, a small town 16km northwest of Byron Bay, in the foothills of the Nightcap Mountain Ranges, saw a record price when Fahey paid $8.2m in 2021. MORE: Bizarre feature of Hemsworth's $50m Byron Bay home There has no sale price reveal of what the online betting entrepreneur secured earlier this month for the retreat, but the recent guidance had been considerably lower for the five bedroom, three bathroom home on 2.4-hectares. The 2020 house came with mid-century influenced design inspired by architect Robin Boyd's iconic Fenner House when crafted by DUO Architects in association with Davis Architects., It was initially listed in 2023 by Fahey after the couple secured a beach shack across the road from Clarkes Beach in Byron for $5.4m. MORE: Trashed '****hole': wild home sale sparks controversy The Lighthouse Road cottage onsold last month for $5.85m. Andrew Fahey co-founded PointsBet with brother Nick and Sam Swanell in 2015. The ASX-listed bookmaker remains in play with suitor Japanese entertainment giant Mixi. MORE: What your home could be worth in 2030
News.com.au
13-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Online betting guru sells Byron Bay home for likely loss
Andrew Fahey, the PointsBet cloud-based wagering platform co-founder, and his partner Katrina Luland have secured the sale of their two Bryon properties. Their Myocum retreat, Las Palmas, listed with a $9m hopes in 2023 has finally been sold. Myocum, a small town 16km northwest of Byron Bay, in the foothills of the Nightcap Mountain Ranges, saw a record price when Fahey paid $8.2m in 2021. There has no sale price reveal of what the online betting entrepreneur secured earlier this month for the retreat, but the recent guidance had been considerably lower for the five bedroom, three bathroom home on 2.4-hectares. The 2020 house came with mid-century influenced design inspired by architect Robin Boyd's iconic Fenner House when crafted by DUO Architects in association with Davis Architects., It was initially listed in 2023 by Fahey after the couple secured a beach shack across the road from Clarkes Beach in Byron for $5.4m. The Lighthouse Road cottage onsold last month for $5.85m. Andrew Fahey co-founded PointsBet with brother Nick and Sam Swanell in 2015. The ASX-listed bookmaker remains in play with suitor Japanese entertainment giant Mixi.
