The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has issued orders to block access to another dozen gambling websites. The agency claims these sites have been operating unlawfully in Australia.
The ACMA has taken steps to block access to twelve more websites as part of a broad effort to crack down on illegal gambling operations within Australia. These websites, which include Zebet, Zeturf, Slot Vibe, Arlekin Casino, Johnnie Kash Kings, Lucky Star, Horus Casino, 21 Dukes, Tangiers Casino, 7 Reels, Winward Casino, and Thebes Casino, were determined to be in violation of Australia’s Interactive Gambling Act of 2001. The ACMA’s investigation led to this action.
In response, the ACMA has requested that Australian internet service providers (ISPs) block access to each of these websites.
Since the ACMA first requested website blocking in November of 2019, Australia has blocked access to 399 illegal websites.
Furthermore, the agency stated that over 160 illegal operators have left the Australian market since the ACMA began enforcing illegal offshore gambling regulations in 2017.
“Website blocking presents a valuable opportunity to raise awareness among the public regarding illegal gambling services through messages that appear when users attempt to access the website,” the ACMA stated.
A recently published study by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) indicates that more than 10% of Australians participated in online gambling at least once in the six-month period preceding June 2021, following the most recent lockdown directives.
The majority of participants engaged in online gambling, but 5% of online gamblers admitted to utilizing unauthorized offshore websites or applications during the six-month period.
Roughly 11% of gamblers between the ages of 18 and 34 did so, compared to 2% of those 45 years of age and older. An additional 6% stated they were uncertain about the location of their services, while 89% exclusively gambled with licensed operators.
This month, Flutter Entertainment’s Australian brand Sportsbet was instructed to pay A$3.7 million (£2 million/€2.43 million/$2.7 million) for transmitting unsolicited text messages and email marketing to customers.
The sum incorporates a record A$2.5 million infringement notice, with the operator pledging to reimburse A$1.2 million to customers.
The agreement was reached following an ACMA investigation. The investigation discovered that Sportsbet sent over 150,000 marketing text messages and emails to more than 37,000 consumers who had attempted to opt out.
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