How to Stop Receiving Marketing SMS from Australian Bookmakers

If your phone constantly lights up with betting promotions, bonus offers, odds boosts, and racing updates, you're not alone.

Many Australians sign up with one or two bookmakers and suddenly find themselves receiving multiple marketing SMS messages every week. While these promotions may seem useful at first, they can quickly become annoying, distracting, and difficult to ignore.

For some people, constant betting advertisements can also create unnecessary temptation and make it harder to stick to responsible gambling goals.

The good news is that you don't have to keep receiving these messages. Whether you want to stop SMS promotions from Sportsbet, TAB, Neds, Ladbrokes, bet365, PointsBet, or any other Australian bookmaker, there are several effective ways to remove yourself from their marketing lists.

This guide explains exactly how to stop bookmaker SMS messages, what your rights are as an Australian customer, and what to do if the messages continue.

Why Do Australian Bookmakers Send Marketing SMS Messages?

When you register with a bookmaker, you are usually asked whether you agree to receive promotional communications.

Many customers accept these terms without giving them much thought. As a result, bookmakers gain permission to send marketing content directly to your mobile phone.

These messages often include:

• Bonus bet offers
• Deposit promotions
• Odds boosts
• Same-game multi specials
• Racing tips
• Sports event reminders
• Free bet campaigns
• Loyalty rewards

The purpose is simple: encourage customers to place more bets.

While these promotions are legal when consent has been provided, you also have the right to withdraw that consent at any time.

The Fastest Way to Stop SMS Messages

For most bookmakers, the quickest solution is surprisingly simple.

Look at the bottom of the promotional message and you'll often see instructions similar to:

• Reply STOP
• Text STOP to unsubscribe
• Reply STOP to opt out

Simply send:

STOP

Once processed, you should receive a confirmation message informing you that you've been removed from future SMS marketing campaigns.

Many customers find this resolves the issue immediately.

How Long Does It Take for SMS Messages to Stop?

A common misconception is that bookmaker marketing messages stop immediately after you unsubscribe.

In reality, the process can take a little time depending on the bookmaker's internal systems and how frequently they run their marketing campaigns.

In most cases:

• Replying STOP to a promotional SMS can take anywhere from a few minutes up to 72 hours to fully process.
• Updating your communication preferences within your betting account may take several days before all marketing systems are updated.
• Requests submitted through customer support are usually processed within 24 to 72 hours.
• If you've registered with BetStop, bookmakers must comply with the exclusion requirements, although implementation timelines can vary depending on regulatory procedures.

It's also important to remember that some promotional campaigns may have already been scheduled before your opt-out request was received. Because of this, you might still receive one or two marketing messages after unsubscribing.

If you're still receiving promotional SMS messages more than a week after opting out, contact the bookmaker directly and ask them to manually review your marketing preferences and remove your number from all promotional databases.

Update Your Communication Preferences

Most Australian bookmakers allow customers to manage their marketing preferences directly through their accounts.

This gives you more control over exactly what communications you receive.

Step 1: Log In to Your Account

Open the bookmaker's website or mobile app and sign in to your account.

Navigate to one of the following sections:

• My Account
• Profile Settings
• Communication Preferences
• Marketing Preferences

The exact wording varies between operators.

Step 2: Disable SMS Marketing

Once inside the settings area, look for communication options.

These may include:

• SMS promotions
• Email marketing
• Push notifications
• Phone calls
• Promotional updates

Untick or disable the SMS option and save your changes.

Many bookmakers process these updates immediately.

How to Stop SMS Messages from Popular Australian Bookmakers

Sportsbet

To stop Sportsbet marketing messages:

• Reply STOP to any promotional SMS
• Disable SMS communications in account settings
• Contact customer support if messages continue

TAB

TAB customers can:

• Reply STOP to marketing texts
• Update communication preferences online
• Contact support for manual removal

Neds

For Neds:

• Log into your account
• Open communication preferences
• Disable SMS marketing
• Contact support if necessary

Ladbrokes

Ladbrokes provides several opt-out options:

• SMS unsubscribe
• Account settings
• Customer support assistance

bet365

bet365 users can manage communications through:

• Account settings
• Marketing preferences
• Customer support requests

PointsBet

PointsBet customers can:

• Reply STOP
• Update communication settings
• Contact support directly

The process is generally similar across all major operators.

Contact Customer Support

If you're still receiving messages after unsubscribing, it's time to contact customer support directly.

When speaking with support:

• Explain that you want all marketing SMS stopped
• Provide your registered mobile number
• Request complete removal from SMS campaigns
• Ask for confirmation once the request has been processed

It's also a good idea to keep a record of the conversation.

If messages continue, you'll have evidence showing that you previously requested removal.

Block the Number on Your Phone

If you need an immediate solution, you can block the sender directly from your mobile device.

On iPhone

1. Open the SMS.
2. Tap the sender information.
3. Select Block this Caller.

On Android

1. Open the message.
2. Tap the menu icon.
3. Select Block Number.

Keep in mind that some bookmakers use multiple sending numbers, so this solution may not completely eliminate future messages.

What If Messages Continue After Unsubscribing?

If you've:

• Replied STOP
• Updated account preferences
• Contacted customer support

and the messages still continue, you should begin documenting everything.

Keep records of:

• Screenshots
• Dates received
• Times received
• Customer support conversations
• Confirmation emails

This information may be useful if you decide to escalate the matter.

Understanding Your Rights in Australia

Australian businesses must comply with regulations governing electronic marketing communications.

This means bookmakers generally must:

• Provide an unsubscribe option
• Honour unsubscribe requests
• Stop sending promotional messages after opt-out requests
• Comply with spam regulations

Customers have the right to withdraw marketing consent.

If a bookmaker ignores your request, further action may be available.

Consider Registering with BetStop

If you're looking for a broader solution, BetStop may be worth considering.

BetStop is Australia's National Self-Exclusion Register.

Once registered:

• Existing wagering accounts become restricted
• New betting accounts cannot be opened
• Marketing communications must stop
• Promotional emails and SMS messages must cease

This applies across licensed Australian online wagering providers.

For many people, BetStop provides the most effective way to completely remove gambling advertising from their lives.

Why Reducing Gambling Advertising Can Be Helpful

Many bettors underestimate the impact constant gambling advertisements can have on decision-making.

Regular promotions can encourage:

• Impulse betting
• Unplanned deposits
• Chasing losses
• Increased betting frequency

Reducing your exposure to these messages often makes it easier to stick to your budget and gamble more responsibly.

Even if you continue betting, removing constant advertising can create a healthier relationship with gambling.

Responsible Gambling Reminder

If you're looking to stop bookmaker SMS messages because gambling is becoming difficult to manage, support is available.

Useful resources include:

• Gambling Help Online
• BetStop
• State gambling support services
• Financial counselling services

These organisations provide free and confidential assistance.

Seeking help is a positive step and can make a significant difference.

Final Thoughts

Constant marketing SMS messages from Australian bookmakers can quickly become frustrating.

Fortunately, there are several effective ways to stop them.

The best place to start is:

• Replying STOP
• Updating your communication preferences
• Contacting customer support

If you want a more comprehensive solution, registering with BetStop can stop marketing communications from licensed Australian wagering providers altogether.

Taking control of the messages you receive not only reduces unwanted interruptions but can also help support healthier and more responsible betting habits moving forward.