This week, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has turned to the country’s internet service providers (ISPs), asking them to block more digital gambling platforms of offshore companies that operate illegally in Australia.
This time, the regulatory body has requested the suspension of 12 unlawful offshore gambling websites, including Arlekin Casino, Lucky Star, Thebes Casino, 7 Reels, Winward Casino, Johnie Kash Kings, 21 Dukes, Zeturf, Horus Casino, Slot Vibe, Zebet, Tangiers Casino. According to the results of an investigation that the ACMA undertook, the aforementioned websites were found to have been offering their services to Australian customers in violation of the country’s Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
Although some offshore gambling operators have decided to try their luck against the Australian regulators, the ACMA has been engaged in taking actions against the ones that have been illegally operating on the territory of the country. The latest action of the Australian Communications and Media Authority has included taking aim at online gambling platforms that should have withdrawn their services from the country in 2001, or at least in theory.
While the watchdog is making more and more efforts to tackle the unlawful gambling services, Australians’ interest in online gambling has been increasing. As a recent report revealed, no less than 10% of local residents, who took part in the survey, have placed a bet online over the first half of 2021. About 5% of those gamblers confirmed that they had placed a wager with offshore online gambling platforms. In addition, younger audiences tend to had been more interested in betting online with websites that may not hold operating licences issued by the country’s competent regulatory bodies.
Website Blocking among Most Effective Enforcement Regulatory Options Available to the ACMA
Website blocking has been among the most effective enforcement options that the Australian Communications and Media Authority has in its arsenal to protect local people from gambling online with illegal gambling companies. The regulator made its first blocking request in November 2019 and since then, a total of 399 unlawful offshore online gambling platforms have been blocked on the territory of the country.
Furthermore, over 160 illegal online gambling services have withdrawn their services from the Australian market since the ACMA started the enforcement of tougher rules on the unlawful offshore gambling services back in 2017.
Website blocking provides an excellent opportunity for the regulators in Australia to raise the public’s awareness of illegal gambling services through the text messages that appear whenever local customers try to access such web platforms. The ACMA has reminded Australians they
should be careful when choosing an offshore online gambling operator, reminding them that a service may look legitimate but it is highly unlikely to feature the necessary customer protections. Customers who use the services of unlawful gambling websites do so at their own risk and should be aware they risk losing their money.
- Author
Daniel Williams
