The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has fined Betfair A$871,000 for breaching the nation’s Spam Act. The regulator announced the penalty in late July 2025, and now, as September begins, the case continues to draw attention within Australia’s gambling sector.
According to ACMA, Betfair sent promotional messages to customers who had either unsubscribed or had never given proper consent. Some of the messages also lacked a functioning unsubscribe option, which is required under the Spam Act 2003. In total, 148 emails and texts were identified between March and December 2024, along with another six non-compliant messages.
Betfair, which operates under a Northern Territory licence, is seen as one of the more sophisticated platforms in the market. It offers a betting exchange where punters can bet against each other rather than the house, a model that attracts experienced users looking for flexibility and stronger odds. Some of these users rely on a new casinos list to find platforms that offer trusted oversight, clear payout terms, and transparent account management. However, the Betfair case reminds customers that even big-name operators can fail to meet compliance standards.
As part of the penalty, Betfair has entered into a formal agreement requiring it to hire an independent consultant to review its processes, improve consent systems, and provide staff training. The company has accepted the ruling and has already paid the fine.
Betfair’s parent company, Flutter Entertainment, which also owns Sportsbet and PokerStars, has faced similar regulatory scrutiny in other jurisdictions, including the UK and Ireland. This latest fine in Australia adds to that pattern.
The case comes at a time when governments across Australia are tightening regulations around gambling advertising, including proposals to restrict betting promotions during live sports broadcasts. ACMA has signalled it will continue to closely monitor gambling operators, streaming services, and email marketers, with more fines expected where breaches are found. Since 2021, the agency has issued more than A$10 million in penalties for spam-related infractions.
For punters in New South Wales, Victoria, and beyond, Betfair’s services remain active, with no immediate impact on day-to-day use. The broader message, however, is clear: regulators are holding all operators, large or small, accountable for respecting customer consent.
As one of the biggest fines of its kind, Betfair’s A$871,000 penalty stands as a warning to the industry. Trust and transparency remain critical, and companies that fall short risk both financial damage and reputational loss.
