ACMA Blocks Five Illegal Offshore Online Betting Websites

The Australian authorities are continuing to fight against various illegal gambling activities in the country, and now they have decided to take care of illegal offshore online gambling websites. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) decided to shut down five such websites and requested them to be blocked. 

Violation of the Australian law:

The ACMA found out that casinos broke the Interactive Gambling Act 2002 and requested the block of Viperspin, Just Casino, Betandplay, Play Fina, and Comic Play Casino. The websites would be blocked by the Australian Internet Service Providers (ISPs). 

Back in 2017, when ACMA started issuing blocking requests, 835 illegal gambling and affiliate websites got blocked. On top of that, 215 illegal services left the Australian market when the new rules about illegal offshore gambling were issued.

The authorities are working hard to protect Australian residents and all gamblers and reduce various gambling issues, such as illegal online gambling and problem gambling. In Australia, online casinos, online slot machines, and all kinds of services that give the player an opportunity to try in-play online sports betting are prohibited, so if the ACMA finds out the website is providing such services to its customers, it will be blocked as soon as possible.

Among other violations is providing interactive gambling services without a license. They are regulated, but an operating license is required. Also, the advertising of prohibited interactive gambling services, such as online casinos, online slot machines, and similar services, isn’t allowed, according to the new regulations.

The measures conducted to protect the players:

According to the Asia Gaming Brief, it is one of the ways to protect the gamblers as well, since the services aren’t regulated and protected by the law, so if the player lost their money, it can’t be refunded or recovered in any way. For example, if the provider decides to withhold the winnings, the player won’t be able to get the prize, and law enforcement won’t be able to help them. 

All information about Australian gambling law can be found on the ACMA’s website. There is a register of the companies allowed to offer various wagering services, as well as a complete list of blocked illegal gambling websites. Among the useful information for the players is various information about player protection from illegal gambling operators, along with detailed instructions about how to fill the complaint about the illegal gaming website, which is beneficial for both included parties.