ACMA Bans Two More Offshore Operators

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has issued blocking orders against more illegal gambling operators, asking internet service providers (ISPs) to cut access to their domains.

After thorough investigations, the Australian regulatory body learned that Richard Casino and Wanted Win offered services that violated the country’s Interactive Gambling Act 2001. The ACMA issued a reminder that website blocking is one of a range of enforcement options it can undertake to shield Australians from the black market.

The authority can issue a blocking order if it determines that a service is:

• providing prohibited interactive gambling services to customers in Australia (such as online casinos, online slot machines and services that allow in-play online sports betting)
• providing an unlicensed regulated interactive gambling service to customers in Australia (such as online betting services that don’t have a valid Australian license)
• publishing ads for prohibited interactive gambling services or unlicensed regulated interactive gambling services in Australia.

This follows earlier ban waves, in line with the regulator’s efforts to shield the Australian market from unlicensed online gambling.

ACMA’s Mission Is to Shield Australians from Harm

A month ago, the media regulator confirmed that it had issued similar orders against A Big Candy, Jackpoty and John Vegas Casino, three gambling services that also violated Australia’s gambling rules.

In April, the ACMA banned even more websites, preparing Australia for the Women’s World Cup. While three of these services withdrew from the Australian market willingly, the ACMA had to issue blocking orders against 15 more.

Since the ACMA’s first blocking request in 2019, it has blocked 1,011 illegal gambling operators and affiliates. In addition, more than 220 illegal services have pulled out of Australia since the authority started enforcing the rules.

The ACMA reminded players that offshore operators lack sufficient safeguards and expose them to significant risks of gambling harm. In addition, since offshore websites operate outside of Australian jurisdiction, there is nothing Australian law can do if an operator decides to withhold winnings.

Two weeks ago, the authority shared new statistics about the performance of BetStop, Australia’s national self-exclusion register. According to that data, a total of 1,590 new people had signed up for BetStop in June, opting to exclude themselves from gambling.

The ACMA added that 25,972 people in total had remained excluded from gambling until the end of the month. As of June 30, 21,381 people maintained active exclusions.