The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has once again intensified its ongoing enforcement action against illicit online gambling operations. Identifying eight more gambling websites that have breached the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, ACMA pushes forward with its mission to safeguard Australian consumers from unregulated online gambling services.
The latest batch of websites pinpointed includes Lucky7even, 50 Crowns, Rockwin, Bitdreams, Mr Pacho, Casino Infinity, Zota Bet, and Spicyjackpots. ACMA’s investigations determined that these entities were providing banned interactive gambling offerings to Australian customers. This encompasses a range of services, such as online casino games, slot machines, and in-play sports wagering, which are explicitly prohibited under Australian law.
Although the specifics of the violations have not been extensively detailed, ACMA has broad authority to initiate measures against sites that deliver unlicensed gambling services or promote other unregistered gaming operations. While the ACMA does not have direct power to block these websites, it does have the capability to compel Australian Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to implement the blockages on its behalf.
The volume of restricted gambling websites has risen substantially since the ACMA’s first blocking request made in late 2019. To date, approximately 945 illegal gambling and affiliate sites have been blocked as a result of ACMA’s efforts. Additionally, a striking figure of 221 illegal services has terminated their availability in Australia voluntarily. These significant numbers underscore the impact of ACMA’s robust approach towards non-compliant operators in the digital gambling marketplace.
In its message to the public, ACMA underscored the potential risks posed by these illegal platforms. The authority reminded consumers that appearances can be deceptive, stressing that a gambling service may look legitimate while lacking crucial consumer protection measures. Without these protections, Australians might have no recourse if issues arise, such as disputes over withheld winnings. To avoid such scenarios, ACMA recommends checking its register to ensure that any gambling service is officially licensed to operate within the country.
This progressive action follows a month after the ACMA singled out another group of 12 websites for ISP blocking. The flagged sites included well-known names such as Playzilla, Wazamba, Zet Casino, and Slots Palace, along with Nomini, Casinia, SG Casino, Fez Bet, Buran Casino, Spin Better, Golden Bet, and Clash.gg. Furthermore, previous blocking orders addressed a multitude of other sites including Greenspin, Slotman, Jeetcity, Betibet, Candyland Casino, Thunderpick, Golden Lion, Digits 7, Sector 777, New Vegas, and PayID Pokies.
Another noteworthy move by ACMA in late 2023 targeted four iconic online gambling brands that were found to be breaching in-play betting regulations. These were Entain-owned Ladbrokes and Neds, Hillside’s Bet365, and Sportsbet. Initially, ACMA’s claims centered on the use of so-called ‘Fast/Quick codes’ to enable in-play betting on sports contests. The aforementioned operators, however, eventually aligned with the legal standards, prompting ACMA to withhold further proceedings against them.
In Australia, the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 sets strict limitations on in-play betting on sports events with only a few exceptions. ACMA’s vigilant monitoring and enforcement actions demonstrate the authority’s relentless commitment to uphold the integrity of Australia’s online gambling ecosystem and shield its citizens from the repercussions of engaging with unauthorized operators.
