SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
More online gaming websites have been blocked by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for illegally targeting Australian consumers.
The two websites found to be in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 are Richard Casino and Wanted Win. An order has been issued by the ACMA to internet service providers (ISPs) to block all access to these websites.
Website blocking constitutes just one of the enforcement options at hand to protect Australians against illegal gambling. It can be implemented in cases where companies have been found to offer prohibited or unlicensed services, as well as publishing advertisements for such services.
ACMA’s first blocking request was made in November 2019, and has since taken down 1,011 illegal gambling and affiliate websites, together with more than 220 illegal services breaching the illegal offshore gambling rules.
In a statement, the regulator said: “The ACMA is reminding consumers that even if a service looks legitimate, it’s unlikely to have important consumer protections.
“This means our laws can’t help if something goes wrong, like if the service provider withholds winnings. Australians can check if a wagering service is licensed to operate in Australia on our register.”
