The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) continues to use its enforcement powers to crack down on the illegal gambling industry in the country. The regulator has demonstrated relentlessness in its pursuit of gambling operators that have been targeting Australians with their unlicensed services for years.
This time, the ACMA has turned to the local Internet Service Providers (ISPs) asking them to block even more illegal offshore online gambling platforms, with the latest targets of the regulatory action including Cloudbet and Las Atlantis. According to the communications and media regulatory body, the two companies have violated the provisions of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
The aforementioned piece of legislation officially bans gambling companies operating without the necessary licences from making their products and services available to Australian people. In addition, the country only permits sports betting and betting on horse races to take place online, while, for the time being, poker and casino gambling online is not allowed.
As previously unveiled by the Australian Communications and Media Authority, website blocking is one of the most efficient enforcement options aimed at protecting local residents against illegal online gambling. This is quite a serious commitment on the part of the watchdog that was first not taken seriously when it pledged to pursue every website that is targeting Australians without the necessary permits.
Communications and Media Regulator Remains Committed to Pursuing Illegal Online Gambling in Australia
The first blocking request of ACMA was made in November 2019 and since then, a total of 619 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been suspended in the country.
Apart from that, over 180 online gambling operators have decided to voluntarily withdraw from the local gambling sector after they saw that the Australian Communications and Media Authority remains firmly on the decision to pursue illegal gambling companies. Effectively, the regulatory body has threatened that any international gambling brand that continues to offer its services or products to its citizens will see the watchdog address the competent overseas regulators, seeking suitable sanctions for their violations. This could be particularly serious for operators that are overseen by regulators in the UK and Malta because such violations could get them into serious trouble with their local license issuers.
The ACMA, however, is not counting solely on its own efforts to tackle the problem. The regulatory body is rather urging local consumers to remain watchful and try to identify the websites that are operating without the necessary legal permits issued by the competent authorities in Australia. The communications and media watchdog also has reminded that online casino gambling and online poker rooms are currently largely unregulated, while online platforms offering sports betting and horserace betting services are required to always hold an operating licence issued by a state regulator in each Australian state.
Apart from that, the Australian Communications and Media Authority urged citizens to file a complaint in case they spot a gambling website that is operating illegally in the country. The regulator has also been engaged in the regulation of social casinos.
- Author
Olivia Cole
