The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has taken action against more unlicensed gambling websites in the country. The watchdog’s latest ban wave saw it block another dozen websites.

According to the authority, the sites in question included Playzilla, Wazamba, Zet Casino, Slots Palace, Nomini, Casinia, SG Casino, Fez Bet, Buran Casino, Spin Better, Golden Bet and Clash.gg. The ACMA explained that had violated Australia’s Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

For reference, website blocking is one of several enforcement options available to the ACMA and is designed to protect Australian consumers from exposure to illegal gambling services. Unlicensed sites undermine the integrity of the legal market and expose their customers to financial risks and gambling harm.

The ACMA is allowed to block websites that provide prohibited interactive gambling services (such as online casino games) to Australian players, provide an unlicensed regulated interactive gambling service or publish ads for such services.

The Watchdog Continues to Shield Australian Consumers from Illegal Content

The ACMA has been working hard to protect the Australian market from unlicensed competition ever since November 2019 when it issued its first blocking request. Since then, the Australian watchdog has issued blocking requests against a whopping 926 illegal gambling and affiliate websites.

In addition, ACMA’s actions have convinced more than 220 illegal operators to willingly pull out of the Australian gambling market.

The ACMA reminded consumers to be vigilant and make sure that they don’t engage in illegitimate gambling activities. The regulator warned that offshore operators rarely offer sufficient levels of consumer protections, exposing customers to higher risks of gambling harm.

In addition, Australian authorities cannot intervene if an unlicensed operator decides to not pay out winnings or if something else goes wrong. The ACMA urged Australian players to familiarize themselves with its register to make sure that they are familiar with the legal gambling operators in the country.

In other news, the ACMA recently slammed the gambling giants Entain, bet365 and Sportsbet over violations of its in-play betting rules. For reference, Australia prohibits in-play betting on sports matches, save for a few limited exceptions.

However, the ACMA decided not to impose sanctions on the three operators as it acknowledged their quick reaction.

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Late last week, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) raised red flags against 11 online gambling platforms.

According to the federal watchdog, Greenspin, Slotman, Jeetcity, Betibet, Candyland Casino, Thunderpick, Golden Lion, Digits 7, Sector 777, New Vegas and PayID Pokies have been operating in violation of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

In response to the breaches, ACMA has formally requested Australian internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to all the mentioned casino sites.

The authority has the power to make such requests when an operator provides prohibited interactive gambling services to Australian online casino customers.

Blocking orders can also be issued for websites engaged in online gambling without a valid licence.

Since ACMA initiated its first blocking request in November 2019, a total of 893 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked.

Additionally, 220 illicit services have exited the Australian market since the authority began enforcing new rules against illegal offshore gambling in 2017.

“Website blocking is one of a range of enforcement options to protect Australians against illegal online gambling,” stated ACMA.

The authority also issued a reminder to consumers that even seemingly legitimate services are unlikely to have essential customer protections, putting Australians at risk of losing their money when using illegal gambling platforms.

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The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) announced that it has found a number of operators guilty of breaching the country’s rules on gambling. As reported by the authority, the gambling companies in question used “Fast/Quick Codes” to facilitate in-play betting on sports matches.

Violators, according to the ACMA, included Entain’s Ladbrokes and Neds, bet365 and Sportsbet.

The ACMA reminded companies that in-play betting on sports matches is prohibited under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, save for a few limited exceptions such as placing bets over the phone. However, in order for this exception to apply, a customer needs to provide their bet type, amount and confirmation via the phone call.

According to the ACMA, the aforementioned operators violated this rule by instead providing a Fast/Quick code option to customers. The codes in question embed the event, bet selection and bet type. Thanks to this, customers can just quote the Fast/Quick code to operators over the phone.

The ACMA Did Not Impose Further Sanctions

The ACMA explained that Ladbrokes and Neds, bet365 and Sportsbet all violated Australia’s rules on Fast/Quick Codes.

Ladbrokes and Neds (Entain), bet365 (Hillside) and Sportsbet (Sportsbet) in-play betting services were found to individually generate Fast/Quick Codes for each particular in-play bet when that bet was built by a customer via the service’s website or App – at least for the first customer.

ACMA statement

Australia’s communications regulator concluded that this betting information had been communicated via the website or app, rather than entirely via the phone call. As a result, the exception to the prohibition on in-play betting on sports matches did not apply.

In the wake of the investigation, all three operators in question have taken steps to make their Fast/Quick Codes compliant with the local rules. As a result, companies will only be able to generate such codes prior to the beginning of a sporting event, independent of customers selecting bets. These codes will be generic and the same for all customers, the ACMA added.

The ACMA acknowledged the three gambling companies’ quick reaction and decided not to impose sanctions.

Last month, the ACMA learned that the Seven Network Operations has breached the country’s gambling ad regulations. This was not the company’s first violation either, resulting in a penalty of $13,320.

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The probe of the Authority uncovered that Seven West Media’s Seven Network Operations Ltd (Seven) has failed to comply with the country’s gambling advertising regulations. 

Not the First Breach

On December 12, 2022, Seven aired a gambling ad outside the officially established times allowed during live sports broadcasts on its streaming service. The respective ad was shown at 10:38 am on the demand platform 7plus while an American Football game in the National Football League was airing. 

Gambling ads cannot be displayed to the public while sports events are streamed live between the hours of 5 am and 8:30 pm. This includes a five-minute timeframe both prior to and after the event. 

This failure to comply with the online gambling ad regulations followed the authority’s previous formal warning given to the same network two months prior to the December breach, in regards to a similar problem. 

The ACMA, for which the minimization of gambling harm still represents a compliance priority in 2023-2024, has issued a $13,320 penalty for Seven. This is the maximum amount that the independent Commonwealth statutory authority responsible for regulating communications and media services Down Under Australia is allowed to apply for such breaches. 

Australians, “Extremely Concerned” About High Exposure to Ads

ACMA’s chair, Nerida O’Loughlin, expressed Australians’ concerns regarding the high “level of exposure to gambling advertising” in live sports coverage via all types of platforms and broadcasters. O’Loughlin further explained that the ACMA would like to see broadcasters make use of “robust systems and processes and associated assurance mechanisms” that would help them better comply with the current regulations.

In connection to the Seven breach, the ACMA explained that they were reassured that the streaming of the respective gambling ad in December “was an isolated event” and that the media company already has a series of ”adequate” mitigation measures in place meant to prevent similar incidents. 

These measures include additional training and oversight, among others. The ACMA has also been informed by Seven that the said measures can successfully and effectively “ensure future compliance,” adding that they do not need to implement any other measures. 

O’Loughlin, however, commented that in the context of the repeated breaches made by Seven, they will continue to keep a close eye on the way they comply with the rules to ensure what they are saying is valid. 

In mid-October, the ACMA published its Gambling Advertising in Australia: Placement and Spending report that showcased the persistence of gambling advertisements between May 2022 and April 2023.

According to the report, more than one million gambling ads were aired on free-to-air TV and metro radio.

Earlier this week, we spoke about SBS, another popular broadcasting network in Australia, and its revolutionary On-Demand TV app feature that will allow viewers to opt out of receiving certain ads starting next year. 

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As a part of its efforts to protect Australian players against illegal online gambling, The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) keeps pushing internet service providers (ISPs) to continue blocking illegal offshore gambling companies. Operators found in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 are Wild Blaster and BetUS, two crypto-friendly platforms packed with an abundance of games.

Being an authority dedicated to keeping the local iGaming industry safe and well-organized, ACMA offers tons of handy bits of advice on how to protect from unlicensed gambling operators or file a complaint about an illegal site. Its website also contains the register of licensed wagering services, as well as the up-to-date list of gambling platforms that have already been blocked.

More Operators Bid Farewell to the AU iGaming Market

Found in breach of the Act, Wild Blaster and BetUS Casinos also ended up among the blocked platforms. Players from Australia will no longer be able to access either of these two sites, as they don’t run the business in accordance with the local gambling laws.

Only a month earlier, ACMA ordered ISPs to block five more gambling operators, as all of them were found operating illegally in the market. The casinos in question are Viperspin, Just Casino, Betandplay, Play Fina, and Comic Play Casino.

As a small reminder, the Authority made its first blocking in November 2019. To date, 863 illegal gambling and affiliate sites have been added to the fast-expanding list, making it impossible for those companies to offer their products and services to local clientele.

Having started to enforce new illegal offshore gambling rules in 2017, ACMA has so far requested 218 illegal services to withdraw from the AU market.

Continuous Battle Against Illegal Offshore Casinos

Website blocking is just one of the measures the Authority enforces to protect consumers from gambling on unlicensed platforms.

Most commonly, a gambling site can be blocked if it provides prohibited interactive services (online casinos, online slot games, in-play online sports betting, and similar). In addition to this, ISPs may cease one casino’s operation if it doesn’t hold a local license or in case of targeting Australian players via ads.

In November 2019, the AU government presented the idea for a nationwide self-exclusion register, aiming to minimize the harm caused by irresponsible gambling. As far as the official explained, the process is voluntary, and it allows individuals to halt online gambling activities for at least three months.

Also, in August this year, Australia launched a program called BetStop. The new self-exclusion register also allows consumers to take better control of their gambling habits and learn to make wiser decisions. Within just a single step, players can exclude themselves from all AU-licensed online and mobile wagering sites for a limited period of at least three months or permanently.

Another measure introduced is the idea to ban credit cards for gambling online. This topic has been discussed for a couple of years now but was never passed into law. As soon as it becomes effective, both operators and consumers will have six months to adjust, after which financial penalties will be imposed on those who fail to follow the ban.

Source: “More websites blocked to protect Australians against illegal online gambling”, acma.gov.au, October 25, 2023.

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The Australian Communications and Media Authority (AMCA) has issued a formal warning to Best Bookies’ Price over the latter company’s unlicensed wagering products. While not an operator in the traditional sense, Best Bookies’ had functionalities that placed bets on behalf of its customers.

Best Bookies is an online service that allows gamblers to compare betting odds across licensed betting operators in Australia. Thanks to this, customers can find the best betting offerings through a single account.

While Best Bookies is focused exclusively on licensed betting sites, the platform placed bets on behalf of its customers, which, according to the ACMA, constitutes a gambling service. The authority justified its claim with the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) which classifies such offerings as gambling.

Best Bookies Was Approved by Its State Regulator but Lacked a Gambling License

The Australian regulator released a statement on the matter, explaining the situation. The ACMA pointed out that Best Bookies had secured authorization from the relevant state-based regulator to offer its products. Despite that, the company lacked the necessary wagering license to offer products that are considered to constitute gambling under the IGA.

The ACMA reiterated its statement that the betting service offered by Best Bookies constituted a gambling service offered to Australian-based consumers, meaning that the product violates Australia’s laws.

These types of services must not be provided to customers physically present in Australia if the provider of the service does not hold a licensee (however described) under a law of a State or Territory that authorizes the provision of that kind of service in the State or Territory.

ACMA statement

Following ACMA’s warning, Best Bookies ceased offering the services in question.

The ACMA’s War on Illegal Gambling Continues

In the meantime, the ACMA continues to vigilantly protect the Australian market from unlicensed companies. The regulator has been periodically ordering internet service providers to block sites that have been trying to circumvent Australia’s gambling laws.

The latest ban wave saw the ACMA order the ban of Viperspin, Just Casino, Betandplay, Play Fina, and Comic Play Casino, which had been operating in breach of the IGA.

The previous months also saw the regulator crack down on illegal gambling operators, leading to the bans of multiple other websites.

In May, the ACMA appealed to Curaçao’s gambling regulator, asking it for help in the fight against Curaçao-based offshore operators that target the Australian gaming market. The move was in line with ACMA’s desire to explore regulatory collaboration with overseas gambling regulators – a topic that was discussed in depth by Tim Miller at the recent G2E convention.

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The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), the Australian government agency that oversees regulating online and media, has ordered another five offshore gambling websites to be blocked.

The websites in question are Viperspin, Just Casino, Betandplay, Play Fina and Comic Play Casino, which the Australian Communications and Media Authority found to have been operating illegally in Australia. The regulator announced that the respective websites breached the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority asked internet service providers in the country to block access to these online casinos, so when somebody tries to access them they will see a message from the government instead of the home page of the website.

ACMA released a statement in which it underlined once again that players from Australia who use such illegal gambling websites will not be protected by Australian laws. “This means our laws can’t help if something goes wrong, like if the service provider withholds winnings,” the regulator explained.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority can act against gambling websites that do not hold licenses to operate in the country or if they offer prohibited services such as online slot games or in-play sports betting. Moreover, publishing ads for another website that is unlicensed or runs prohibited services is also forbidden and can lead to ACMA requesting the respective publisher to be blocked.

835 Websites Blocked and Counting

Before this latest blocking request, the Australian Communications and Media Authority had successfully blocked 830 gambling and affiliate websites. The regulator also determined 215 services to exit the Australian market since ACMA began to crack down on illegal offshore gambling in 2017.

Last month, ACMA ordered the blocking of Crown Pokies and Play AUD, which the regulator deemed as operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. In July, the Australian Communications and Media Authority blocked another five websites: Reef Reels, Royal Reels, Ricky Casino, Slots Gallery and Slotastic.

June was by far the most prolific month of the year for ACMA as it blocked no less than 12 websites that month, after having managed to shut down another three websites in May 2023.

Source: “ACMA orders blocking of five more offshore gambling websites“. iGaming Business. September 20, 2023.

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In its latest action, ACMA has identified five offshore gambling websites – Viperspin, Just Casino, Betandplay, Play Fina, and Comic Play Casino – operating in breach of Australia’s Interactive Gambling Act 2001. The authority has been steadily intensifying its efforts, hoping to curb illegal offshore gambling activities within the country. 

ACMA Intensifies Its Efforts as Violations Remain Rampant

The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 is the cornerstone of Australia’s regulatory framework for online gambling. This legislation aims to protect Australian consumers by ensuring that only licensed operators can offer gambling services within the country. The Act also prohibits unlicensed overseas providers from targeting Australian players, directing them to more secure alternatives.

Australians who use illegal gambling services are not protected by Australian laws.

ACMA statement

215 illegal gambling services have ceased operating in the country since ACMA began enforcing its new stricter regulations. This latest round of blocking requests brings the total number of gambling and affiliate websites prohibited in Australia to 835. The frequency of bans has dramatically increased in 2023, with the ACMA adding new companies to the list almost monthly.

ACMA remains crucial in enforcing Australia’s gambling regulations, particularly online. The authority first identifies and investigates offshore operators operating illegally in the country. Once these companies are confirmed to be breaching local laws, ACMA takes legal action, including requesting ISPs to block access to their websites.

International Cooperation May Be the Only Long-Term Solution

Website blocking is an extreme measure, usually reserved for illegal operators. The ACMA also actively oversees the regulated market, delivering milder punishments for offenses like licensing issues, advertising violations, or offering prohibited services. The authority treats all operators equally and is unafraid to go after even high-profile companies.

Despite the ACMA’s ceaseless efforts, the Australian market remains beset with offshore operators. The authority recently asked for help from the Curaçao government, as Curaçao-based online gambling companies remain a pressing problem in Australia. These operators have demonstrated no intention to exit the local market willingly and routinely attempt to circumvent restrictions, necessitating international cooperation.

The authority’s proactive approach to identifying and banning illegal operators reflects its commitment to safeguarding Australian consumers. However, legislative issues related to offshore enforcement mean the ACMA can only take limited measures, enacting local bans by ISPs while the offending companies continue running rampant. Despite these challenges, the authority’s ongoing efforts remain instrumental in shaping Australia’s gambling landscape.

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Several years ago, Australia implemented tough rules against illegal offshore gambling websites. Since then, the country’s regulatory body responsible for the regulation of telecommunications, broadcasting and radiocommunications, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), has been constantly monitoring the online gambling sector and enforcing bans against operators that were found to offer their services illegally.

On Wednesday this week, the Authority urged internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to more illegal offshore gambling websites. This time, ACMA asked ISPs to block access to websites that included Play AUD and Crown Pokies.

Prior to calling for the ban, ACMA conducted investigations into the operation of the aforementioned websites. Consequently, the regulatory agency explained that the two websites offered their services in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 and urged access to their websites to be restricted.

“Australian internet service providers (ISPs) have been requested to block access to more illegal offshore gambling websites including Crown Pokies and Play AUD. These services have been found to be in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 following investigations by the ACMA,“

reads a statement released by the Australian Communications and Media Authority

The Authority reminded customers that using illegal gambling websites poses a risk to their personal data and funds. This is because users of offshore or illegal operators are not protected by Australian laws.

Additionally, ACMA warned that illegal providers may withhold winnings. The regulatory watchdog explained that a full list of the licensed online gambling providers can be found on its website. It also encouraged users to report illegal gambling providers.

The Authority Continues to Monitor the iGaming Market

Since 2017 when ACMA started enforcing the new rules against illegal offshore gambling operators, more than 210 such companies voluntarily withdrew their services from the market.

Still, the Authority continues to monitor the iGaming sector and only recently, requested ISPs to block four illegal gambling websites. Earlier this summer, in June, ACMA urged internet service providers to ban access to 12 illegal offshore websites. The proactive measures taken by the Authority are effective and since it started monitoring the online gambling sector, to date, it has banned more than 820 illegal gambling affiliates and online gambling websites.

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The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has issued a warning to Feral Holdings, an online gambling company that offered casino-style games. Instead of money, the operator took CS:GO skins as wagers.

Feral’s site, CS:GO Roll, offered Australian players a unique approach to gambling. Instead of wagering money, players would deposit expensive skins from the popular competitive game Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.

Skins, as the name implies, allow players to change the look of virtual assets in a game. CS:GO skins, for example, add an extra layer of customization to the game, allowing fans to spice up their style with unique weapon colors and patterns. Skins can vary in quality and price, with some reaching thousands of dollars.

CS:GO Roll who deposit skins would receive a number of in-game tokens they could use to gamble on casino-style games, the ACMA reported. After winning, players would be paid out in CS:GO skins, which can be sold on third-party platforms for real money.

Despite its unique approach, however, Feral Holdings and its CS:GO Roll website offered what the regulator considers to constitute illegal gambling. Under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, casino-style online games that are played for real money or valuable items are strictly prohibited.

As a result, the ACMA warned Feral Holdings and had it withdraw its site from the Australian market.

ACMA’s Chair Said CS:GO Roll Is “Concerning”

Nerida O’Loughlin, ACMA’s chair, commented on the matter, saying that all gambling sites operating in Australia are required to follow the Australian gambling laws. She noted that this applies even to sites that use a type of non-traditional currency.

She noted that this includes payment methods such as cryptocurrencies or even skins.

Providing casino-style games online is prohibited in Australia when playing for money or something of value, whether that’s Australian dollars, cryptocurrency or in this case, online gaming skins.

Nerida O’Loughlin, chair, ACMA

O’Loughlin added that the CS:GO Roll site is especially concerning since it is designed to appeal to young people. In the worst-case scenario, such offerings can be a gateway to gambling for the youth.

Skins gambling services are particularly concerning as they tap into a youth market and have the potential to convert gamers into gamblers.

Nerida O’Loughlin, chair, ACMA

Following its warning, the ACMA reminded Australian customers that it can check whether the gambling service they are using is legal in the country by checking the ACMA register of licensed companies. In addition, the ACMA website contains information about how players can protect themselves from illegal gambling.

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