The case of ACMA raiding offshore sites of internet betting is a recent example of the anti-Iega scrutinizing internet betting websites that are in operation without licenses The three websites, A Big Candy, Jackpoty and John Vegas Casino have been found violating the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. These services which have continued to provide various online casino games to players have been accused of operating their services in Australia without legal licenses that allow them to do so. Therefore, it has made ACMA begin calling on Australian ISPs to filter these sites to prevent consumers from getting access to them. This action shows that the regulator is still protecting the people of Australia from the unregulated and potentially dangerous gambling services stressing on the fact that everyone should only use the companies that have basic customer protections. The action pulled off by ACMA is one way of reminding the consumers of the dangers of using services in gambling that are illegal, this includes the perspective of losing their cash openly.
Close to 1,000 gambling sites have been blocked since 2019
In the combat against the threats relating to illegal online gambling, website blocking has become a major ammunition that the ACMA utilizes to protect Australians. Since ACMA began sending out requests for ISP blocking in November of 2019, and up to now, the impressive number of 995 unauthorized gambling and affiliate websites have become blocked in Australia. Currently, such sites as A Big Candy, Jackpoty, and John Vegas Casino can be also added to the list of domains that have been blocked. This remains one of the attempts at implementing a strategy that was initiated in 2017 aimed at closing more than 220 other illegitimate gambling activities as a casino site Australia. Most importantly, the remit of ACMA when it comes to website blocking is not justified on the basis of targeting international operators who do not have proper Australian licenses. It also includes those providing the gambling services that are unlawful in the country; such as online slots and in-play sports betting, which all point to the agency’s all-round crackdown effort against unlawful online gambling services.
In 2024, ACMA’s requests for website blocks have climbed beyond 30
Since the beginning of the current year up to date the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has been making 31 requests of blocking sites which are involved in unlawful Internet gambling. In the last one year alone, Jogi Casino, Dundee Slots, Lucky Hunter, Lucky Wins, Lukki Casino, Spin Fever, Clubhouse Casino and Winport Casino that fall under the operational jurisdictions of ACMA have been established to be in violation of set regulatory prescriptions. In March another list containing 8 domains, Lucky7even, 50 Crowns, Rockwin, Bitdreams, Mr Pacho, Casino Infinity, Zota Bet and Spicyjackpots were proposed for the block list on account of regulatory violations. In February, ACMA attempted to prosecute twelve other sites, namely Playzilla, Wazamba, Zet Casino, Slots Palace, Nomini, Casinia, SG Casino, Fez Bet, Buran Casino, Spin Better, Golden Bet, and Clash.gg for the same offenses. Notably, the entities were not obscure, but included international brands such as Ladbrokes and Neds belonging to Entain, Hillsides’ Bet365 and Sportsbet which faced action for in-play betting regulation breaches in the previous year. Aspiring from utilization of Fast/Quick codes for in-play sports betting – an activity prohibited under The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 these larger operators were initially in violation but complied with the law after ACMA’s initial crackdown hence escaping further action.
