📩 What just happened
Tabcorp has landed in hot water — fined $4 million by Australia’s communications regulator for illegally marketing to its VIP customers.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) found the gambling giant breached spam laws by sending over 5,700 messages that either:
Lacked unsubscribe links
Didn’t include sender information
Were sent without customer consent
💰 Big fine, but small change
While $4 million sounds massive, it barely dents Tabcorp’s bottom line. The company made $1.3 billion in the second half of 2024 alone.
🎯 Who was targeted
The investigation focused on Tabcorp’s VIP program, a group of users who’s status depends on money spent. The high-stakes customer group was often targeted with personalised offers like:
Bonus bets
Matched deposits
Rebates
Free tickets to sporting or entertainment events
ACMA says this is the first time it has found spam law breaches inside a gambling VIP marketing scheme.
📉 What happens next
Tabcorp has signed a three-year court-enforceable undertaking, which includes:
A full review of its direct marketing systems
Quarterly audits of VIP communications
Mandatory staff training on spam compliance
⚖️ Why it matters
ACMA’s Samantha Yorke called the breach “unacceptable” and warned that personalisation is not an excuse for breaking the law.
The case signals that regulators are watching gambling companies more closely — especially when it comes to how they engage their biggest spenders.