The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has added 11 unlawful offshore gaming websites to its blocklist, urging Australian internet service providers (ISPs) to restrict access to said sites.
According to investigations conducted by the ACMA, the involved websites were operating in violation of the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001.
You may also want to read: Communications watchdog bans illegal casino-style website (commsroom.co)
The illegal gambling sites requested for blocking are:
The ACMA provides that one of several enforcement measures to safeguard Australians against unreported online gambling is website blocking.
Through the messaging that shows when there is an attempt to access the website, website blocking offers a valuable opportunity to inform the public about illegitimate gaming services.
Five hundred fifty-five illegal gambling websites have been shut down since the ACMA requested its first injunction in November 2019.
Since implementing new regulations on unlawful offshore gambling in 2017, the ACMA reports that more than 170 illegal services have left the Australian market.
The development served as a reminder from the ACMA to consumers that even if a service appears to be reputable, it could still lack critical customer protections.
The watchdog advised individuals to verify if a gaming service is included on its register to see if it has an Australian operating license, as Australians using unlawful gambling services risk losing their money.
The ACMA recently announced the establishment of a new national gambling self-exclusion register.
Through the register, individuals can permanently or temporarily ban themselves from using betting services.
Read here: New rules to combat gambling addiction (commsroom.co)
On the ACMA website, you can find further details about online gambling, including how to protect yourself against illegitimate operators of gambling websites and how to file a complaint about one.
Jaw de Guzman is the content producer for Comms Room, a knowledge platform and website aimed at assisting the communications industry and its professionals.
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