ACMA continues ISP blocking orders against black market

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has ordered internet service providers (ISPs) to block six new illegal websites operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

The websites—Eddy Vegas, Lucky Friends, Lucky Ones, MoonWin, Slottie, and SpinsUP —were found to be offering illegal online gambling services to Australian consumers.

This action is part of ACMA’s ongoing efforts to protect Australian consumers from unlicensed and potentially harmful gambling services.

ISP blocking, introduced in 2019, is one of several enforcement measures designed to address illegal gambling activities. Since its implementation, more than 1,117 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked.

Over 220 illegal gambling operators have exited the Australian market since ACMA began stricter enforcement in 2017. These measures aim to ensure that only licensed operators, adhering to strict regulations, provide gambling services in Australia.

ACMA further warned consumers that illegal gambling services may lack essential customer protections, exposing users to significant financial risks. To safeguard against such risks, Australians are encouraged to verify the legitimacy of gambling operators through ACMA’s public register of licensed wagering services.

In 2023, the ACMA’s gambling remit was strengthened by agreements with Australia’s six territorial governments, allowing the Authority to oversee ‘BetStop’—Australia’s new centralised self-exclusion scheme for gambling. BetStop, launched in August 2023, serves as a national, unified gambling self-exclusion system available across all states and territories.

In October, the federal government announced that Richard Eccles had been appointed to lead the first statutory review of BetStop,  as the scheme has registered 40,000 self-exclusions to date.

Additionally, the federal government has enacted amendments to the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 following recommendations from the Murphy Report of 2023. However, ministers remain divided on finalising changes to gambling advertising. The inquiry recommended a phased three-year approach to banning all forms of online gambling advertising across Australian media platforms.

The latest developments indicate that PM Anthony Albanese plans to delay settling gambling advertising reforms until 2025. This delay has been attributed to opposition from the media and sports industries, which rely heavily on revenue from gambling advertisements.