Betfair fined over spam breaches, AUSTRAC takes action against Mounties

30th July 2025 | By Robert Fletcher

Summary

Crown-owned Betfair has been ordered to pay AU$871,000 after the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) found it sent 148 marketing emails and texts to VIP customers between March and December 2024 without valid consent, and in some cases without an unsubscribe option. Betfair has entered a two-year court-enforceable undertaking requiring an independent review of its marketing, staff training, quarterly audits and regular reporting to ACMA.

In a separate action, AUSTRAC has launched Federal Court civil penalty proceedings against Mount Pritchard District and Community Club (Mounties) for alleged serious and systemic breaches of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) laws. AUSTRAC alleges failures including an inadequate risk assessment, insufficient staff training, weak transaction monitoring and lack of independent review. The Federal Court will decide next steps.

Source

Source: https://igamingbusiness.com/legal-compliance/betfair-tspam-breaches-austrac-action-mounties/

Key Points

• ACMA found Betfair sent 148 messages to VIP players between March and December 2024 without consent or after consent was withdrawn.
• Six messages lacked an unsubscribe option; offers included deposit incentives and free event tickets.
• Betfair ordered to pay AU$871,000 and must follow a two-year court-enforceable undertaking (independent review, staff training, quarterly audits, reporting).
• ACMA emphasised a ‘zero tolerance’ approach, noting VIP status does not justify non-compliance or irresponsible targeting.
• AUSTRAC has commenced civil penalty proceedings against Mounties over alleged systemic AML/CTF non-compliance across its club network and poker machine operations.
• Alleged Mounties failings include no adequate risk assessment, insufficient staff training, poor transaction monitoring, no independent review and weak enhanced customer due diligence.
• The Federal Court will determine whether Mounties contravened the AML/CTF Act and any penalties or orders to follow.

Content summary

ACMA’s investigation into Betfair found multiple breaches of spam laws when the operator targeted VIP customers with marketing messages. The regulator criticised the practice of sending inducements to VIPs without clear consent or unsubscribe options and has imposed a significant penalty alongside enforceable remedial measures.

Separately AUSTRAC’s action against Mounties alleges broad, systemic shortcomings in the club group’s AML/CTF programme. Given Mounties’ size and cash-intensive gaming operations, AUSTRAC says the business has a heightened duty to manage money laundering risks; the complaint lists failures across risk assessment, monitoring, training and independent oversight.

Context and relevance

Regulators in Australia have stepped up enforcement on both marketing compliance and financial crime controls in the gambling sector. This follows other recent sanctions (for example Tabcorp’s fine earlier this year) and AUSTRAC’s wider focus on pubs and clubs as medium-to-high risk for money laundering. Operators that run VIP programmes, heavy marketing or large-scale club networks should treat these cases as a clear signal to review consent processes, unsubscribe mechanics, AML/CTF frameworks and independent assurance activities.

Why should I read this?

Because this story is a two-pack of wake-up calls. If you run marketing or manage club operations, regulators are actually enforcing the rules now — and fines, court action and enforceable undertakings are real outcomes. Read this to spot what to fix fast: consent processes, unsubscribe options, staff training and proper AML systems. Saves you a nasty surprise (and a big bill).