Australia to Block 8 Offshore Gambling Operators

The ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) recently announced new measures to combat illegal gambling. This is after the body requested all local internet service providers to restrict eight illegal online casinos and sportsbooks from accessing the market.

Following its independent investigations, the ACMA accuses numerous online gambling service providers of illegally operating in the country, violating the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. The statement says that up to eight gambling sites will no longer access the Australian gambling space. They include Casino Jax, Wild Fortune Casino, Mirax Casino, Kosmonaut Casino, Rolling Slots, Slotozen, No Deposit Kings, and N1 Bet Casino.

It’s to be noted that blocking illegal gambling websites is one of the methods that the body uses to protect Australians against unlawful online gambling. This crackdown started in November 2019 when the ACMA blocked more than 700 illegal gambling and affiliate sites. In 2017, the ACMA enforced new gambling rules, leading to more than 180 online casino and sportsbook operators quitting the Australian market.

In a statement to the public, the ACMA has cautioned consumers against gambling services that look deceptively legitimate. The body says most don’t have necessary customer protection measures.

“The ACMA is reminding consumers that even if a service looks legitimate, it’s unlikely to have important customer protections. This means Australians who use illegal gambling services risk losing their money. You can check if a wagering service is licensed to operate in Australia on our register,” the statement says.

In December 2022, the authority asked local internet service providers to restrict two illegal sites, Pokizino and ABA Lucky 33, from accessing the country’s iGaming space. Interestingly, the ACMA cleared Sportsbet during the same month of any wrongdoing after multiple accusations against the operator for violating the ban on in-play betting. Sportsbet is currently the largest online bookmaker in the country.

The ACMA’s actions are part of a broader national crackdown on illegal offshore gambling. Remember that Australia has some of the strictest gambling regulations worldwide, with the government always committed to implementing these laws

In February this year, New South Wales announced measures against money laundering activities by declaring that all poker machines will go cashless by 2028. New South Wales Premier, Dominic Perrottet, also announced the introduction of daily loss limits, with cashless gambling cards to be rolled out for gamers.

Meanwhile, NSW Labor has promised to outlaw political donations in Australian clubs with gaming machines as the debate over cashless poker machines continues. However, the party says it will reduce poker machines’ daily cash feed-in limit from AUD 5,000 to AUD 500. Of course, that’s only possible if the party wins in March.