ACMA, the Australian Communications and Media Authority have instructed internet service providers to add nine more online gambling sites to their block list. This order demonstrates the powers granted to the regulator by section 313 of the Telecommunications Act.
The nine sites facing the ISP block are Roo Casino, GW Casino, Wager Beat, Joe Fortune, Ignition Casino, Casino Dingo, AU Slots, Top Bet, and XBet. This action follows comes after 80 complaints about these sites were submitted to the ACMA.
An ACMA spokesperson commented on this new development, saying: “ACMA investigations found these services to be operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.”
Over 90 iGaming operators have exited the Australian marketplace since the ACMA began enforcing illegal gambling legislation in 2017. Paul Fletcher, the Australian Communications Minister elaborated on the reason for this action, stating that: “Up to AU$400 million each year is spent on illegal gambling sites, amounting to AU$100 million in lost taxation.”
Fletcher also said, “While ACMA has a range of powers to protect Australians from illegal gambling services — including issuing formal warnings and seeking civil penalty orders, it can be difficult to take direct action against faceless companies with no legal presence on our shores.”
“This is an important partnership with the Communications Alliance, and I want to acknowledge the industry’s support. Working with ACMA, these additional measures give ISPs the ability to block illegal websites, protecting Australians and contributing to a safer online gambling environment.”
