The Australian Communications and Media Authority has released its latest update against the offshore gambling sector that continues to target local players
Australia has been actively combating the offshore gambling market. As sportsbooks, casinos, suppliers, and affiliates continually target the country, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has been diligently cracking down on these entities on a case-by-case basis.
ACMA Cracks Down on More Illegal Gambling Sites
The efforts have resulted in the blocking of over 1,500 domains, with more to come. Recently, ACMA announced the addition of several websites to its list of banned domains, instructing Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block access to these sites based on the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. The websites include:
- JokaRoom
- AUDPokies888
- Aura Play
- Instant Casino
- Leon
- Rich Papa
- UUSpin
- Wild Pokies
These sites have violated local laws by offering unlicensed games of chance and are now part of the prohibited list in Australia. ACMA has also collaborated with international regulators, advocating for stricter measures against locally licensed websites that unlawfully target Australians.
Curacao has recently revamped its licensing regulations, aiming to be stricter on unregulated gambling. However, tangible results in Australia are yet to be seen. ACMA continues to remind consumers to be cautious of online casinos, as none are regulated within the country.
Locals Should Stay Vigilant
While sports betting is permitted in Australia, wagers must be placed exclusively through licensed gambling sites. Despite Australians being some of the most avid gamblers globally, it remains challenging to steer players towards legitimate services.
ACMA has highlighted that many offshore gambling sites deliberately attempt to appear as legitimate and locally licensed services, when in reality, they are not. This deception contributes to the difficulty in guiding players towards legal and safe gambling options.
