Australian online sportsbook BetDeluxe has paid a fine of AU$50,172 (US$34,400) for breaching spam-unsubscribing rules.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority said it issued the fine after an investigation found BetDeluxe had sent over 104,000 SMS text messages without an unsubscribe function and more than 820,000 messages that did not contain the sender’s contact details.
The messages, sent between December 2021 and February 2022, advertised a “cheeky punt” and “VIP service” on sports and racing, and promoted bonus bets and money-back offers.
“We received complaints from a significant number of people, with many expressing their frustration about receiving promotions for gambling,” said ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin.
“Any spam can be annoying, but when gambling is involved the risk of financial and emotional harm can be pronounced, so it’s important that wagering operators take compliance very seriously.”
The ACMA has also accepted a two-year court-enforceable undertaking from BetDeluxe committing the business to an independent review of its e-marketing practices, and to make improvements where required, the authority added. BetDeluxe must give regular compliance reports to the ACMA and provide spam training to its staff.
“We will be closely monitoring BetDeluxe’s compliance and the legally binding commitments it has made to the ACMA,” O’Loughlin said.
This is the second ACMA spam enforcement outcome regarding an online wagering provider in the past 12 months after market leader Sportsbet was made to pay AU$3.7 million in penalties and refunds in February 2022.
“The online gambling industry, including the smaller players, should be on notice that the ACMA is actively monitoring for indications of non-compliance with the spam rules, and the penalties can be serious,” O’Loughlin added.
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