Web users in Australia will soon face increased difficulty accessing a pair of international lottery platforms. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has deemed “AOLotto” and “RedFoxLotto” unlawful and will mandate that internet service providers (ISPs) restrict access to these sites.
These platforms, which offer entries for substantial overseas lotteries, represent the first instances of their kind to be targeted by the ACMA. An inquiry revealed their operations violated the 2001 Interactive Gambling Act by vending lottery tickets without possessing an Australian license.
ACMA representative Fiona Cameron highlighted the significance of safeguarding Australian customers. “Both of these websites were functioning illicitly within Australia, signifying that participants lacked any consumer protections whatsoever,” she stated. “Restricting access to unlawful offshore websites assists in shielding Australians from potentially dubious operators, where recourse is minimal or nonexistent if issues arise.” She underscored that legal, licensed lottery services operating within Australia provide crucial safeguards that consumers anticipate.
This measure against the lottery websites expands upon ACMA’s ongoing endeavors to combat illicit online wagering. Since November 2019, the ACMA has been undertaking comparable actions against numerous unlawful offshore casino-type gambling websites. A recent analysis indicated that in the 2020/21 fiscal year alone, the ACMA intervened to block 55 illicit gambling services, leading to a considerable decline in traffic originating from Australian users.
“We are highly satisfied with these outcomes, which demonstrate that our efforts to disrupt illegal online gambling within Australia are yielding a favorable effect,” Ms. Cameron remarked.