ACMA Hits Out Against Gambling Companies Based Offshore

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has issued a series of warnings directed at offshore operators, notifying them that they run illegal gambling businesses that specifically target Australian customers.

ACMA said that the companies had no local licenses and could therefore not offer any form of gambling products. To add insult to injury, some companies provided online casino games, which are prohibited on the territory of Australia.

Australia Goes After Companies That Keep Targeting Locals Despite Lack of Licenses

The bulk of these websites were based in the Comoros Islands and Curacao, and operated out of there under local licenses, which nevertheless did not make these companies eligible to run businesses in Australia.

Among the companies targeted by the operator were Hollycorn NV, which trades under the Crown Gold Casino name in Australia. Another company named by the regulator is NovaForge Ltd, which runs the Playzilla and Spins of Glory gambling websites.

LBC Enterprises was named by the regulator for its operations of the LuckyBet brand, also providing local players with games of chance and betting options without holding any relevant license, and in a clear breach of local laws.

Ridley Media was named as the operator behind Joe Fortune, whereas Malina Casino was operated by Stellar Ltd. ACMA has urged the companies addressed in these warnings to take immediate remedial action and cease and desist operations in the country.

Curacao Licenses Could Be Attacked by ACMA with Local Regulator

A failure to comply would result in the regulator pursuing a much tougher course and issuing more severe penalties. While ACMA could, in theory, collaborate with the new gambling regulatory regime in Curacao, which has tightened rules on how licenses are issued.

However, many operators have quit Curacao, venturing into newly established and arguably less secure jurisdictions, which continue to provide what could be described as fictional licenses that are then leveraged globally with little heed of local regulations.