The Australian Communications and Media Authority is ramping up its efforts to combat offshore illegal gambling, dealing another blow to the unlawful industry by blocking four more websites.
After comprehensive investigations, ACMA determined that these platforms were in violation of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. The newly blacklisted sites include Reef Reels, Royal Reels, Slots Gallery, and Slotastic.
“Blocking requests to ISPs are just one of the many tools we utilize in the fight against illegal online gambling,” an ACMA representative explains.
The Progress So Far
This recent action is part of a larger initiative by the ACMA to protect Australians from the harmful effects of illicit online gambling. The organization took its first significant step in November 2019 and since then, has managed to block a total of 804 illegal and affiliated websites.
Moreover, due to ACMA’s vigorous enforcement of new rules against offshore illegal gambling since 2017, over 200 rogue services have withdrawn from the Australian market.
Implications for the iGaming Industry
The ongoing efforts by the ACMA and the results so far have a few significant implications for the broader iGaming industry:
- Strengthening Regulation: The consistent and rigorous efforts by ACMA reaffirm the importance of robust regulations in maintaining the integrity of the iGaming industry.
- Enhanced Player Protection: The blocking of illegal websites contributes to safer online gambling, protecting players from potential fraud and gambling-related harm.
- Market Opportunities: As illicit operators withdraw, legal and compliant operators might find an increasingly open market to operate in, thereby promoting healthy competition and better services for players.
