The Australian Communications and Media Authority has requested that Australian internet service providers block more illegal gambling websites, after investigations found these services to be operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
The latest sites blocked include:
– Lucky7even
– 50 Crowns
– Rockwin
– Bitdreams
– Mr Pacho
– Casino Infinity
– Zota Bet
– Spicyjackpots
Website blocking is one of a range of enforcement options to protect Australians against illegal gambling services. This action can be taken if 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.
Since the ACMA made its first blocking request in November 2019, 945 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked. 221 illegal services have also pulled out of the Australian market since the ACMA started enforcing illegal offshore gambling rules.
The ACMA is reminding consumers that even if a service looks legitimate, its unlikely to have important consumer protections. This means our laws can’t help if something goes wrong, like if the service provider withholds winnings. Australians can check if a wagering service is licensed to operate in Australia on our register.
More information about online gambling is available on the ACMA’s website, including information on how to protect yourself from illegal gambling operators, and instructions on how to make a complaint about an illegal site.
