Australia
ACMA Imposes Fine of $500,800 on PointsBet
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has imposed a fine of $500,800 on PointsBet Australia Pty Ltd for breaching the e-marketing and gambling self-exclusion laws.
Investigations by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) found that the company sent more than 800 messages that breached Australia’s spam laws.
PointsBet also contravened laws relating to BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register (NSER), by delaying closing accounts of customers who had registered and sending marketing messages to self-excluded persons.
Between September and November 2023, PointsBet sent 705 emails containing a direct link to its betting products without including an unsubscribe function.
The emails were mischaracterised by PointsBet as “non-commercial” despite promoting their services, making them subject to the spam rules.
PointsBet also sent seven marketing emails without recipient consent and 90 commercial texts that did not have sender contact information.
The NSER investigation found PointsBet sent 508 marketing messages to self-excluded individuals in August and September 2023. Under the NSER laws, people registered with the NSER must not be sent marketing materials from a licensed wagering service.
ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said there are no excuses for gambling companies that fail to understand their legal obligations given the risks to people experiencing gambling harms.
“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,“ Ms O’Loughlin said.
“People signing up to the NSER are taking positive steps to remove online gambling from their lives. Their decision must not be compromised by companies like PointsBet.
“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 ACMA found that no excluded customers were able to place bets with PointsBet during the period investigated. The ACMA has accepted comprehensive court-enforceable undertakings from PointsBet committing it to reviews into 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. We will closely monitor PointsBet’s compliance with its undertakings and with the spam and NSER laws,” Ms O’Loughlin said.
The imposition of a financial penalty was not available to the ACMA for the NSER breaches due to the complex and novel matters investigated. However, a failure to comply with an enforceable undertaking can lead to court-ordered financial penalties.
Compliance with interactive gambling safeguards and misleading spam messages are both current compliance priorities for the ACMA. This is the first enforceable action announced under the NSER rules, and businesses have paid more than $14 million in spam penalties over the last 18 months.
The post ACMA Imposes Fine of $500,800 on PointsBet appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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The NSW Government has amended the Casino Control Regulation to extend the term of The Star’s manager Nick Weeks, who will continue to have oversight of casino operations until at least 31 March 2026.
The government extended Mr Weeks’ term at the request of the NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) after the NICC declined to lift the suspension of The Star’s licence.
Mr Weeks will continue to hold the licence for The Star over the next six-month period, allowing the casino to operate gaming facilities while its licence remains suspended.
The NICC first appointed Mr Weeks to the role of manager in October 2022, when The Star’s casino licence was suspended following the first Bell Review.
NICC Chief Commissioner Philip Crawford said there was still too much uncertainty surrounding The Star to consider reinstating its casino licence at this time.
“The NICC considers it appropriate to continue with the current arrangement so it can better assess the effectiveness of important remediation work and await the outcomes of other pressing financial matters concerning The Star,” Mr Crawford said.
“The NICC understands the many challenges The Star is facing and is closely monitoring The Star’s progress as it works to prove it is capable of regaining its casino licence.”
The post NICC extends The Star manager’s term for six months appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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The organisers of Regulating the Game have announced the launch of Industry Spotlight Sessions as part of the event’s 2026 programme. The conference will take place from March 9–11, 2026 at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth.
New for 2026, the Industry Spotlight Sessions are concise, 15-minute presentations embedded within the main conference programme, giving leading manufacturers, suppliers and technology providers across gaming, lotteries, wagering and sports betting a platform to share strategic insights, innovation and sector direction.
The sessions will provide a powerful platform for established players to:
• Highlight new products, enhancements or technical capabilities
• Share research, data insights or strategic outlooks
• Spotlight innovations that are shaping operational performance and player engagement
• Provide a forward view on emerging trends and technologies influencing the sector
Distinct from Pitch! at the Sydney Opera House (March 9) – which has evolved into a high-energy marketplace of ideas spotlighting emerging RegTech, compliance innovation, disruptive policy concepts and safer gambling solutions – the Industry Spotlight Sessions are tailored for established players to profile market-ready innovations, demonstrate commercial leadership and share product direction.
Paul Newson, principal at Vanguard Overwatch and founder of Regulating the Game, said: “The Industry Spotlight Sessions are being introduced at the request of industry attendees who wanted a dedicated platform to showcase pioneering products, strategies, and sector direction and insights. With only four Industry Spotlight slots available in 2026, this is a limited opportunity for organisations to put themselves front and centre before an international audience of regulators, policy leaders, and industry decision-makers.”
The addition of Industry Spotlights reflects RTG’s commitment to sparking innovation and shaping the future of the sector. By providing a platform for announcing new directions, showcasing developments and sharing strategic outlooks, these sessions are designed to broaden dialogue, foster cross-sector collaboration and keep the conference at the cutting edge of regulatory and industry evolution.
Regulating the Game 2026 will also feature:
• Pitch! at the Sydney Opera House (March 9)
• The inaugural RTG Global Awards & Gala Dinner (March 10)
• An expanded exhibition showcase and programme of expert masterclasses.
Early bird tickets are now open, with discounted rates for early registrants. Group packages are also available but strictly limited.
The post Industry Spotlight Sessions Announced for Regulating the Game 2026 Sydney appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has requested the Australian internet service providers (ISPs) to block more illegal online gambling and affiliate sites, after investigations found these services to be operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
The latest sites blocked include Slot Lounge, Betzillo, FastSpin99, Spinit and PokiesPros.
Website blocking is one of a range of enforcement options to protect Australians against illegal online gambling. Since the ACMA made its first blocking request in November 2019, 1322 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked. Around 220 illegal services have also pulled out of the Australian market since the ACMA started enforcing new illegal online gambling rules in 2017.
The post ACMA Blocks More Illegal Online Gambling Websites appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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