ACMA Expands Block on Illegal Gambling Websites to Protect Australians

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has escalated its efforts to safeguard Australian consumers by requesting internet service providers (ISPs) to block additional illegal gambling websites. This action follows investigations revealing that these services were operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

Among the most recent sites to be blocked are Richard Casino and Wanted Win. Website blocking is one of several enforcement tools the ACMA employs to protect Australians from illegal gambling services. These actions can be taken if a service:

• Provides prohibited interactive gambling services to customers in Australia, such as online casinos, online slot machines, and in-play online sports betting.
• Offers an unlicensed regulated interactive gambling service to customers in Australia, such as online betting services without a valid Australian license.
• Publishes advertisements for prohibited or unlicensed gambling services in Australia.

Since the ACMA’s first blocking request in November 2019, a total of 1,011 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked. Additionally, more than 220 illegal services have withdrawn from the Australian market since the ACMA began enforcing offshore gambling rules in 2017.

The ACMA continues to remind consumers that even if a gambling service appears legitimate, it is unlikely to offer essential consumer protections. This means Australian laws cannot provide assistance if issues arise, such as a service provider withholding winnings. To verify if a wagering service is licensed to operate in Australia, consumers can check the ACMA’s register.

More information about online gambling, including how to protect oneself from illegal operators and how to file a complaint about an illegal site, is available on the ACMA’s website.

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The ACMA’s actions are part of a consistent approach to blocking illegal gambling websites. Recently, sites such as A Big Candy, Jackpoty, and John Vegas Casino were flagged for breaching online gambling rules and subsequently blocked. Similarly, in May, ISPs blocked eight additional sites, including Jogi Casino, Dundee Slots, Lucky Hunter, and others. This pattern continued in March and February, with multiple websites being blocked each month.

The ACMA’s latest blocking orders coincide with a broader governmental review into online keno and offshore lotteries. This review aims to minimize online gambling harms by understanding the impact of keno and foreign-matched lotteries on the community, potentially leading to bans on these products. While keno remains popular in physical venues like pubs and clubs, it is increasingly moving online. Offshore lotteries allow consumers to enter foreign lottery draws, a practice which may be scrutinized or restricted further.

The ACMA’s rigorous enforcement and ongoing reviews highlight the Australian government’s commitment to regulating online gambling effectively and protecting consumers from unlicensed and potentially harmful services.

Source:

More websites blocked to protect Australians against illegal online gambling, ACMA, July 17, 2024.