Australian Communications and Media Authority’s Compliance Priorities

Each year, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) identifies and prioritises key areas that focus on supporting its strategy. 

This includes monitoring interactive (online) gambling, and businesses compliance with the spam rules for SMS and email marketing - particularly involving products and services that may be harmful, such as the direct marketing of gambling and alcohol offers. 

Priority areas that may impact clubs include:

• Illegal gambling services: Exploring new tools and approaches to disrupt illegal gambling services available to Australians.
• SMS impersonation scams: Disrupting SMS scams by perpetrating criminal syndicates that send them. If a club receives reports that their club details have be used in an SMS impersonation scam, this should be reported to ACMA. The SMS spam should be forwarded to 0429 999 88 or emailed to [email protected]. 
• Misleading unlawful electronic spam messages: ACMA will focus on enforcing spam rules to stop misleading marketing messages being sent as service messages. Clubs are reminded that electronic marketing and promotion communications must not mislead customers and provide recipients with an unsubscribe option. The unsubscribe instructions must be easy, clear and at low or no cost to the recipient, with all requests being actioned within five business days.

While less relevant for clubs, ACMA will also continue to focus on interactive (online) wagering, including educating consumers, ensuring industry compliance with new bans on credit cards and cryptocurrencies, raising awareness about the National Self-Exclusion Register (BetStop) and enforcing wagering services' compliance with register requirements, including prohibiting marketing to self-excluded individuals. 

The 2024-25 compliance priorities and outcomes of the 2023-24 compliance priorities are here and here respectively.

If you have any questions, please contact ClubASSIST on 1300 730 001 or [email protected].