The ACMA has asked ISPs to block four more illegal gambling and affiliate marketing websites. This comes after investigations found that these services are operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
The latest sites blocked include Casino Australia Online, Pokies.bet, Pokiesman, and Smart Pokies.
The regulator states that website blocking is one of several enforcement options to protect Australians from illegal gambling services. Authorities can take action if a service provides prohibited interactive gambling, such as online casinos, online slot machines, or in-play online sports betting, to customers in Australia.
Authorities can also take action if a service provides unlicensed regulated interactive gambling to Australian customers, such as online betting without a valid Australian license, or publishes ads for prohibited or unlicensed gambling services.
ACMA released its Action on Interactive Gambling Report for the second quarter in early August. This covers the period from April to June this year. During the period, ACMA looked into 514 inquiries and complaints. It has completed 14 investigations into 15 gambling sites, found 17 breaches of IGA or the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, issued 15 formal warnings, and blocked 50 websites and 359 URLs.
Since the ACMA made its first blocking request in November 2019, it has blocked 1,026 illegal gambling and affiliate websites. Since the ACMA began enforcing illegal offshore gambling rules, over 220 illegal services have withdrawn from the Australian market.
The ACMA reminds consumers that, even if a service appears legitimate, it likely lacks important customer protections. ACMA notes that this means their laws can’t help if something goes wrong, like if the service provider withholds winnings.
