The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has announced that it has added two more unlicensed online gambling and affiliate marketing websites to its list of sites blocked in the Australian market.
According to the ACMA announcement, the regulator has requested that local internet service providers (ISPs) block access to:
- Richard Casino
- Wanted Win
The ACMA investigated both websites and found that they are in direct breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 and should not be accessible to Australian consumers.
Since it first began limiting access to illegal gambling websites in November 2019, the ACMA has blocked 1,011 unlicensed gambling websites. In that time around 220 unlicensed gambling businesses have pulled out of the Australian market as a direct result of the efforts by the ACMA.
Federal Government to Crack Down on Foreign Lotteries and Keno Marketing
In related news, earlier this week the Australian Federal Government has announced that it has launched a review into how foreign-matched lotteries and online keno games are advertised and regulated in the country.
The government will now look into the impact that foreign lotteries have on local customers and any possible links to problem gambling.
According to the latest global gambling statistics, Australia has the highest gambling losses per person at around AU$1850 ($1200/€1210) per year.
Olivia has worked as an editor and writer for major brands across multiple niches. She now focuses on the iGaming and sports betting industries.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has recently taken action to block access to two illegal gambling websites in Australia. The move comes as part of the ACMA’s ongoing efforts to crack down on online gambling operators who are not licensed to operate in the country.
The two websites in question, which have not been named by the ACMA, were found to be offering online gambling services to Australian residents without the necessary licenses. This is a violation of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, which prohibits the provision of online gambling services to Australian residents without a valid license.
ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin stated that the blocking of these websites is a necessary step to protect Australian consumers from the risks associated with illegal online gambling. She emphasized that unlicensed operators do not have the same consumer protections in place as licensed operators, putting Australian gamblers at risk of fraud and other criminal activities.
The ACMA has the authority to request that internet service providers block access to websites that are found to be in violation of Australian gambling laws. In this case, the two illegal gambling websites have been added to the ACMA’s list of blocked sites, meaning that Australian internet users will no longer be able to access them.
O’Loughlin also highlighted the importance of consumers being aware of the risks associated with illegal online gambling and urged them to only gamble with licensed operators. She encouraged anyone who comes across an illegal gambling website to report it to the ACMA so that appropriate action can be taken.
Overall, the blocking of these two illegal gambling websites is a positive step towards ensuring a safe and regulated online gambling environment in Australia. The ACMA’s continued efforts to enforce Australian gambling laws will help protect consumers and maintain the integrity of the country’s gambling industry.
