BetDeluxe is fined by the ACMA for violating gambling spam rules

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) penalised online gambling company BetDeluxe AU$50,172 (€32,164) following allegations that it had sent out SMS offers that did not comply with the regulator's unsubscribing guidelines.

According to the ACMA, Noah Rose, trading as BetDeluxe, sent over 104,000 SMS offers without an unsubscribe function. There were also 820,000 mails that lacked the sender's contact information.

Text messages promoting a "cheap punt" and "VIP service" for sports and racing were distributed between December 2021 and February 2022. These communications also advertised free betting and money-back deals.

ACMA Chair Nerida O'Loughlin stated about the violations:

“We received complaints from a significant number of people, with many expressing their frustration about receiving promotions for gambling. 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.”

Following the investigation, BetDeluxe provided the ACMA with a two-year court-enforceable undertaking, agreeing to conduct an independent evaluation of its e-marketing methods and make any necessary modifications. The corporation must also submit regular compliance reports to the ACMA and train its employees on spam prevention.

Ms O'Loughlin went on to say:

“We will be closely monitoring BetDeluxe’s compliance and the legally binding commitments it has made to the ACMA.”

The ACMA has taken action against an online gambling provider for spam offences for the second time in a year. Sportsbet was subjected to an ACMA inquiry in February 2022, which led in the company paying AU$3.7 million (€2.3 million) in penalties and client refunds.

By fLEXI tEAM