Tabcorp Holdings Limited (TAB: ASX) has been slapped with a fine of more than $4 million for a breach of spam laws in its VIP marketing messages.
The fine comes after an investigation from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), which found more than 5,700 marketing messages to VIP program customers weren't compliant with Australian spam laws.
The texts and WhatsApp messages were sent between February and May of last year and did not provide an unsubscribe option or “adequate sender information”.
Businesses must have consent before sending marketing messages, clear information about the sender and with a working unsubscribe option, under the the Spam Act 2003.
“The gambling industry needs to understand that spam laws apply to all direct marketing — whether it’s generic campaigns or personalised messages,” said ACMA Member Samantha Yorke.
She also confirmed ACMA would be “watching closely" to ensure TAB is compliant in the future.
