The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has once again tightened its grip on illegal offshore gambling websites by blocking more domains that offer their services to Australian consumers. The latest move comes as part of ACMA’s ongoing efforts to protect Australian players from the harms associated with unlicensed online gambling providers.
The ACMA announced that it has initiated the blocking of more than 70 illegal gambling websites, bringing the total number of blocked domains to over 400 since the regulator began its crackdown on illegal offshore operators in 2017. These websites, which are all operating without the necessary licenses to offer gambling services to Australian residents, have been found to be in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
ACMA chair Nerida O’Loughlin stated that the recent actions were part of the regulator’s ongoing commitment to upholding the integrity of Australia’s online gambling market. “The ACMA is committed to ensuring that Australian consumers are protected from the risks associated with illegal gambling websites,” O’Loughlin said. “By blocking these offshore operators, we are sending a clear message that illegal gambling activities will not be tolerated in Australia.”
The ACMA’s efforts have been praised by gambling reform advocates and industry stakeholders, who have long called for stricter enforcement of laws against illegal offshore operators. Tim Costello, chief advocate for the Alliance for Gambling Reform, welcomed the news of the latest blocking measures. “It’s heartening to see the ACMA taking decisive action to protect Australian consumers from the dangers of unregulated online gambling,” Costello said.
The move to block more illegal offshore gambling websites comes at a time when the Australian government is also considering further regulatory reforms to crack down on illegal operators. In a recent submission to the Senate inquiry into online gambling, the ACMA called for additional powers to tackle offshore operators who flout Australian laws.
The ACMA’s crackdown on illegal offshore gambling websites is part of a broader effort to promote responsible gambling practices and protect consumers from harm. The regulator encourages Australian consumers to only gamble with licensed operators who abide by the country’s strict gambling laws.