ISPs ordered to put on blockers
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has instructed the country’s internet service providers (ISPs) to block eight offshore wagering websites. It cites numerous complaints received, including withheld winnings and poor treatment of players.
advised Australians using the sites to withdraw their money immediately
The watchdog advised Australians using the sites to withdraw their money immediately. Sites to be blocked are Ace Pokies, Enzo Casino, Nordicasino, Planet 7 Oz, Reeltastic, Royal Spinz, Spintropolis, and Times Square Casino.
The Authority’s investigations found the eight sites to be in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
Aussie watchdog with bite
Formed after a merger between the Australian Broadcasting Authority and the Australian Communications Authority in 2005, the ACMA has to date blocked over 90 gambling websites.
“Over 100 illegal services have pulled out of the Australian market since we started enforcing new illegal offshore gambling rules in 2017,” it said.
Last month, the ACMA requested that ISPs block access to 11 websites, namely Bondi Bet, Box 24 Casino, Fruits 4 Real, JokaRoom, Happy Hugo, Kahuna Casino, Mucho Vegas Casino, Omni Slots, Rich Casino, Slottica, and XPokies.
In May, the ACMA also instructed ISPs to block another 11 sites operating in violation of the law.
ACMA busy in 2020
The ACMA has reaped a bumper harvest of illegal entities in 2020. In January, it collared nine illegal sites after successfully investigating 79 separate complaints.
The latest 11 gambling operators to be found guilty of breaching the gambling act in August brings the all-time total of blocked sites to 92. All the perpetrators are listed on the ACMA’s website. The body states that “website blocking is one of a range of enforcement options to protect Australians against illegal online gambling.”