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Australia’s ACMA has blocked more offshore iGaming websites. The regulatory body recently announced the addition of 14 more sites to its ban list. This means users will no longer have access to these unlicensed online casinos in Australia.
Australia Bans 14 Unlicensed Offshore iGaming Websites
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has requested a ban of 14 different offshore online gambling websites. The Australian government’s watchdog group has contacted national ISPs to block the illegal sites.
Australian watchdog group ACMA has recently submitted a slew of unlicensed online gambling and affiliate marketing websites to be banned for all Australian residents.
The new list of blocked websites includes online gaming operators as well as a handful of affiliate marketing sites. The ACMA claims these domains are not legally authorized under the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001.
The ACMA released a statement alongside its findings. In the report, they noted that “website blocking provides a valuable opportunity to alert the public to illegal gambling services.” To do this, there will be a pop-up message that appears whenever someone tries to access a banned site.
This most recent list of unauthorized websites is a result of years of investigation and work by the ACMA. They look into various sites that are believed to target Australian audiences without proper licensure from the government. Once domains are identified, the ACMA works with local ISPs to block the requested sites.
The ACMA Faces a Long, Slow and Endless Battle
In 2017, Australia introduced revamped online gaming controls for the entire country. Since these new laws were passed, hundreds of sites have been forced out. More than 400 sites have left the Australian market in less than three years. The overwhelming majority of these sites were removed after the ACMA was authorized to request site bans in 2019.
This is essentially a war of attrition between the Australian government and online gambling operators. Despite blocking access, determined operators can always open a new domain and resume business more carefully to avoid detection.
Additionally, platforms that serve other regions will not shut down completely. This means that players can theoretically look for ways to circumvent the bans. VPNs and other methods can be used by Australian residents to get around these local blocks.
The ACMA has expanded its reach beyond just online casino operators. They have recently begun a campaign against lottery sites as well. The goal is likely to try to limit the sudden and rapid rise in popularity of online lottery sites.
The ACMA recently went after We Love Lotto and Red Fox Lotto. They also plan to continue the battle against other lottery sites that are not licensed in Australia. Because most overseas lotto sites serve other jurisdictions, they cannot be completely shut down.
Australia Has No Plans to Ease Its Current Stance on iGaming
While some forms of online casinos in Australia are legalized through Australia’s new laws, regulations are still tight. Australia is also notoriously hard-nosed about finding and punishing any sites it deems predatory toward its citizens.
This includes live betting sites and certain sports betting platforms. For example, the country handed down punishment to Tabcorp for allowing players to place bets on a U.S. college basketball game. Live betting is still illegal under Australia’s current gambling laws.
All of the following sites are included in the most recent list of banned domains:
- Aus Casino
- Australia Casino
- Axe Casino
- Casino Shortlist
- Casino4u
- Casino-On-Line
- Comet Room
- Golden Lady Casino
- Lucky Dreams
- No Deposit Bonus Blog
- No Deposit Friend
- Online Casino Australian
- Paradiso Room
- Spin Samurai
About the Australian Communications and Media Authority
The ACMA is an independent Commonwealth statutory authority. The organization’s purpose is to provide regulatory services to Australia’s media. The ACMA is responsible for setting and enforcing rules about communication services and media markets. They also have authority to license organizations and products to operate within Australia.
The ACMA acts in a watchdog capacity as well. Complains can be filed, and they are investigated accordingly. Additionally, the ACMA is responsible for managing the country’s airwaves in order to make room for newer, better technologies.
They also serve as advisors and consumer advocates. Part of their role is to inform consumers about their rights. They also provide assistance in protecting consumers against bad-faith operators that do not follow the law. Australian consumers can contact the ACMA anytime for guidance or help.
The ACMA’s reach encompasses telephone, radio, internet and television. In addition, their authority covers equipment and content compliance as well.