ACMA Blocked 18 Offshore Sites During the Women’s World Cup

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) published a report outlining its crackdown on illegal gambling during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

According to the regulator, it reviewed 200 offshore services during and in the lead-up to the event. As a result, the ACMA decided to investigate 21 of them as they appeared to directly target the Australian market. In the end, the authority decided that 18 of the sites in question violated Australia’s Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

After the ACMA intervened, three of these services willingly withdrew from the Australian market. In the meantime, the regulator had to issue blocking orders to internet service providers to deal with the remaining 15.

The crackdown on illegal gambling during the championship was in line with ACMA’s current efforts to minimize gambling harm. As offshore websites do not play by the local rules, they rarely offer the same safeguards that players can enjoy when gambling with licensed operators.

The ACMA reminded players to find more information about online gambling on its website and learn which services are licensed to operate in Australia.

Illegal Websites Take Advantage of High-Profile Events

ACMA authority member and online gambling lead Carolyn Lidgerwood commented on the crackdown during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She pointed out that the 18 sites that violated Australia’s gambling laws not only lacked a license to operate but also, in some cases, offered interactive gambling services that are prohibited in the country.

Lidgerwood explained that offshore websites would often take advantage of high-profile sporting events, such as the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, to channel fans toward their platforms.

These sites also offer none of the consumer protections that apply to licensed wagering services in Australia. Using these sites is more than a gamble as you have no rights and even if you win, you may never see the money.

Carolyn Lidgerwood, authority member and online gambling lead, ACMA

The ACMA has been issuing banning orders against offshore operators since 2019. So far, the regulator has blocked a whopping 900+ illegal gambling and affiliate websites. Additionally, over 220 illegal services have willingly pulled out of the Australian market since ACMA started strictly enforcing its offshore gambling rules.