Tabcorp fined over US$2.6M for breaching spam laws in VIP customer campaign
Summary
Tabcorp Holdings Limited has been penalised AU$4 million (approximately US$2.61 million) due to breaches of spam regulations by sending unauthorized marketing messages to VIP customers. These marketing efforts were cited as non-compliant by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) during an investigation.
Key Points
- Tabcorp sent over 5,700 SMS and WhatsApp messages without proper compliance with the Spam Act 2003.
- 2,598 messages lacked an unsubscribe option, and 3,148 did not properly identify the sender.
- 11 messages were sent without prior consent from the customers.
- This marks the first enforcement action by ACMA against a VIP gambling program.
- Tabcorp must undergo an independent review of its marketing practices under a three-year agreement with ACMA.
- ACMA has imposed over AU$16.9 million in penalties for spam law violations across various sectors in the last 18 months.
Why should I read this?
This article is a must-read if you’re in the gambling industry or involved in digital marketing. It highlights the serious repercussions of non-compliance with spam regulations, particularly in targeted marketing. With consumer protection becoming a hot topic, staying informed on regulatory changes and enforcement actions could save your business from hefty fines!
