Unregulated and illegal gambling is a problem that many countries around the world face and in recent years, there’s been a serious crackdown to aid the general public.
We’ve seen the Philippines completely remove all POGOs, as well as U.S. states arresting those in breach of the rules, and Australia has also been on a rampage, blocking as many illegal gambling sites as possible.
Now, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has directed internet service providers (ISPs) to block even more illegal gambling sites after confirming they were operating in violation of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
The latest sites to be restricted include Crown Slots and Billy Billion, both of which offer a plethora of online games to gamble on.
Since November 2019, ACMA has blocked an impressive 1,178 illegal gambling and affiliate websites, aiming to curb unauthorized online betting platforms that operate without Australian licenses.
Additionally, around 220 illegal operators have voluntarily exited the Australian market since ACMA began enforcing tighter online gambling regulations in 2017.
The risks of illegal operators
ACMA continues to warn Australians about the dangers of using unlicensed gambling platforms, stressing that these services lack essential consumer protections.
While some unlicensed platforms may appear legitimate, users risk losing their funds with little to no legal recourse, leaving them in the lurch later down the line.
To help bettors avoid unregulated sites, ACMA has a public register of licensed operators, allowing Australians to verify whether a gambling platform is authorized to operate in the country.
In addition to website blocking, ACMA regularly investigates breaches of Australian gambling laws to keep on top of any new operators popping up.
Recently, the regulator took action against Network Ten for airing gambling advertisements during the 2024 Australian Grand Prix which was a violation of national broadcasting regulations, so it’s not just the actual platforms themselves that are receiving the banning treatment.
ACMA encourages consumers to report illegal gambling services and stay informed through its website, where resources are available on how to identify unlicensed operators and protect personal funds from fraudulent platforms.
