SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
The Australian Communications and Media Agency (ACMA) has moved to block a further 10 illegal offshore betting websites in the country.
Following a number of complaints, the ACMA chose to investigate the websites, and found them to be operating in violation of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, specifically finding them to be offering betting services in contradiction of established Australian industry standards.
The 10 illegal websites in question are Play Croco, Aussie Play, Golden Reels, All Spins Win, Bonza Spins, Pokie Spins, Golden Pokies, House of Pokies, Pokie Mate and PokieZ.
Website blocking is one of a range of enforcement options available to the ACMA to enforce the prohibition of illegal online gambling operators.
The recent request to Australian Internet Service Providers (ISPs) has brought the total number of blocked illegal gambling websites to 238 since the first request was submitted in November 2019.
Additionally, over 130 illegal sites have been removed from the Australian market since 2017, following the enforcement of new gambling rules concerning black market operators.
Last month, the authority requested ISPs to remove 18 gaming websites, and described the practice of website blocking as ‘a valuable opportunity to alert the public to illegal gambling services through the messaging that appears when there is an attempt to access the site’.
The ACMA can request that ISP’s remove any betting website under the terms of the Telecommunications Act 1997, based on violations of the following criteria:
- Providing prohibited interactive gambling services to customers in Australia (such as online casinos, online slot machines and services that allow in-play online sports betting).
- Providing an unlicensed regulated interactive gambling service to customers in Australia (such as online betting services that don’t have a valid Australian licence).
- Publishing ads for prohibited interactive gambling services or unlicensed regulated interactive gambling services in Australia.
