Brisbane Powerball Winner Scores the Full $40 Million, and They’re Already Retired
Caleb Daly • Jul 31, 2026 
The PointsBet ACMA fine totals AU$500,800. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) issued the fine after finding the operator breached spam laws. It also breached the rules protecting people registered with BetStop, Australia’s National Self-Exclusion Register.
ACMA’s investigation looked at how PointsBet handled marketing messages and account closures for customers who had opted out of gambling. It’s one of a run of gambling news stories out of ACMA’s compliance push this year.
TL;DR: PointsBet Fine
- ACMA fined PointsBet AU$500,800 for breaching spam laws and BetStop rules.
- The operator sent 508 marketing messages to self-excluded customers between August and September 2023.
- PointsBet also delayed closing 228 self-excluded accounts beyond the required timeframe.
- No self-excluded customer was able to place a bet during the investigation period.
- The case shows why BetStop exists and how enforcement actually works in practice.
What Is BetStop and Why Does It Matter?
BetStop is Australia’s National Self-Exclusion Register. It launched in August 2023 as part of the National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Wagering. In one registration, it lets anyone lock themselves out of every licensed wagering service in the country.
Once someone signs up, licensed operators are legally required to close their account and stop sending them marketing material. It’s a safety net for players trying to step back from gambling. It only works if operators follow through on their end.
PointsBet ACMA Fine Explained
ACMA’s investigation covered activity between August and November 2023. It found PointsBet sent 705 emails containing direct links to its betting products without an unsubscribe option. PointsBet had wrongly labelled those emails as “non-commercial” to sidestep spam rules.
The operator also sent seven marketing emails without consent. It sent 90 commercial texts that didn’t identify the sender, both breaches of the Spam Act 2003.
The larger cluster of breaches involved BetStop itself. ACMA found 508 marketing messages sent to self-excluded customers in August and September 2023. It also found 228 accounts left open past the required window, and seven left open after outstanding bets were resolved.
ACMA chair Nerida O’Loughlin said gambling companies have no excuse for misunderstanding obligations like these. She pointed to the harm at stake for people trying to protect themselves.
A Real Example: How the PointsBet Breach Happened
Picture someone who registers with BetStop specifically to stop temptation. Under the rules, that should mean no more emails, no more texts, and a closed account within days. In this case, some customers kept receiving marketing messages anyway, and some accounts stayed open longer than they should have.
ACMA did confirm that no self-excluded customer managed to place a bet with PointsBet during the investigation period. Still, the marketing breach undermines the point of signing up in the first place.
The Common Misunderstanding About Self-Exclusion
A lot of players assume that once they register with BetStop, every operator instantly shuts the door. In reality, enforcement depends on how fast operators act on new registrations. This case shows what happens when that process breaks down.
It’s also why regulators watch compliance closely, rather than treating self-exclusion as a “set and forget” system.
What This Means for Aussie Players
If you’re relying on responsible gambling tools like BetStop, that’s a smart move. But this case is a reminder to follow up if marketing messages keep landing after you’ve registered.
In our view, a AU$500,800 penalty says more than a warning letter ever could. You can report non-compliance directly to ACMA, and operators found in breach pay real penalties, not a warning.
Oh, and if your account isn’t closed within the required window after you self-exclude, that’s worth reporting too. It’s also worth understanding the broader gambling laws that require licensed operators to respect self-exclusion. That framework is what gives BetStop its teeth.
The Bottom Line
The PointsBet ACMA fine is a clear example of a national safety system being tested and enforced. BetStop only works if every licensed operator treats it as a hard requirement. This case shows ACMA is willing to issue real penalties when that doesn’t happen.
For more AU gambling news like this, keep an eye on our ongoing ACMA coverage.
FAQs About the PointsBet ACMA Fine
What was the PointsBet ACMA fine for?
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) fined PointsBet, an Australian online sports betting operator, AU$500,800 for breaching spam laws and for sending marketing messages to customers registered with BetStop, Australia’s National Self-Exclusion Register.
How much was the PointsBet ACMA fine?
ACMA ordered PointsBet to pay a total penalty of AU$500,800, covering both spam law breaches and BetStop compliance failures uncovered during the investigation into activity between August and November 2023.
Could self-excluded PointsBet customers still place bets during the breach?
No. Even though PointsBet breached spam and BetStop rules, ACMA confirmed that no customer registered with BetStop was able to place a bet with PointsBet during the investigation period.
What is BetStop and how does it relate to the PointsBet ACMA fine?
BetStop is Australia’s National Self-Exclusion Register, launched in August 2023, which lets anyone lock themselves out of every licensed wagering operator in the country. The PointsBet ACMA fine was issued partly because PointsBet kept marketing to, and was slow to close accounts for, customers who had registered with BetStop.
18+ | Gamble Responsibly. Visit Gambling Help Online or call 1800 858 858 for free, confidential support. You can also register with BetStop, Australia’s national self-exclusion register.
Crazy Vegas may earn a commission when you use certain links on our site, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate Disclosure.
