Tabcorp fined $4m for spamming VIP players

• Industry News
• 17. 06. 2025.
• Milos Antic

Tabcorp, Australia’s largest gambling company, has been slapped with a $4 million (US$2.8 million) fine for multiple breaches of spam laws.

According to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), Tabcorp has continually sent spam messages to its VIP players, some of which lacked the mandatory unsubscribe button. In addition to the fine, the company will undergo three years of quarterly audits of its direct marketing systems.

Spam game

ACMA reveals that the total number of spam messages exceeds 5,700. In one month alone, Tabcorp sent over 2,500 messages via SMS and WhatsApp without providing an option to opt-out. Even more messages failed to display proper sender information, while dozens were sent without the consent of the receiving players. All three cases stand in clear violation of Australia’s Spam Act of 2003.

As ACMA member Samantha Yorke pointed out, VIP players mustn’t be conflicted with high-rollers. Some of them are not necessarily wealthy and may have a gambling problem. Moreover, the spam laws apply to all promotional campaigns, irrespective of whether they come in the form of personalised messages or sweeping campaigns—something that Tabcorp seems to have deliberately overlooked.

First VGCCC, now ACMA

Tabcorp is no stranger to multi-million dollar fines. In August 2024, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) levied a record $5 million fine against TAB for breaching Victoria’s responsible gambling laws.

The most egregious accusation, as evidenced by a recorded phone call, is Tabcorp giving a $2,000 bonus to a customer who has lost $150,000 within a month rather than offering support. Another Victorian customer received six promotional campaigns despite having opted out previously.

Just like Samantha Yorke, VGCCC Chair Fran Thor believes that Tabcorp’s deficiencies display a pattern and are by no means occasional occurrences.