ACMA continues crackdown against illegal gambling websites

Sudhanshu Ranjan December 13, 2024

SiGMA news

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) continues its efforts to combat illegal gambling websites. Recently, the ACMA blocked six illegal online gambling websites for violating the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. The ACMA is striving to eliminate illegal operations from the Australian market to safeguard consumers from financial risks.

Latest actions by ACMA

Established in 2005, the ACMA serves as the country’s regulator y body for communication and media, playing a crucial role in protecting consumers from harmful practices. The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 prohibits the provision of unlicensed online gambling services to Australians and authorises the ACMA to take enforcement actions against illegal operators.

According to the ACMA, the following websites violated the regulations outlined in Australia’s Interactive Gambling Act 2001:

Eddy Vegas: Blocked for operating without a licence.
MoonWin, Slottie, and SpinsUP: These websites blatantly violated the Interactive Gambling Act by providing unlicensed services to Australian consumers.
Lucky Friends and Lucky Ones: These platforms enticed users with promises of big wins but did not comply with Australian regulatory standards.

The six blocked websites were involved in illegal activities, such as offering unlicensed gambling services to Australians. These platforms lacked essential safeguards, putting users at risk of losing their funds without any recourse.

Since November 2019, the ACMA has blocked over 1,117 illegal gambling and affiliate websites. The authority’s strict measures have also led to over 220 illegal operators voluntarily exiting the Australian market.

Impact of ACMA’s actions

Many Australians were recently outraged to discover that minors could view promotional Snapchat filters from Sportsbet. These filters, which transformed users into a Sportsbet speaker or a racehorse and linked to the operator’s website, were visible to children. Although kids couldn’t use the filters, they could still see them. This issue was particularly concerning given that it followed closely on the heels of Sportsbet ads appearing on Spotify between Disney and Bluey songs, further aggravating parents and guardians.

The ACMA is targeting unlicensed platforms to minimise risks associated with online fraud. Authorities are also raising public awareness about the dangers of engaging with illegal gambling sites and their consequences.

Australian consumers can visit the to check whether they are using licensed and legal platforms. If users encounter any illegal activities, they can report them to the ACMA.

The ACMA is utilising advanced technology to more effectively identify and block illegal platforms. Additionally, the authority is collaborating with global partners to address cross-border gambling challenges.