The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has urged Australian Internet Service Providers (ISP) to block several websites and affiliate marketing sites that violate the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001.
These websites and affiliate marketing sites include:
Australian Casino Online; Pokies.bet; Pokiesman; Smart Slots. The aforementioned sites have been found to offer prohibited interactive gambling services to Australian citizens and promote prohibited interactive gambling services or unlicensed regulated interactive gambling services in Australia.
Since ACMA began enforcing the offshore gambling regulations, more than 220 illegal services have withdrawn from Australia, and since the first blocking request in 2019, about 1,026 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked.
The ACMA report from April to June 2024 shows that ACMA investigated 514 inquiries and complaints, conducted 14 investigations on 15 gambling websites, found 17 violations of the Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) of 2001, issued 15 formal warnings, and blocked 50 websites and 359 URLs. Among the complaints received, 463 (90%) were valid complaints requiring investigation under the IGA. Of the 15 formal warnings, 4 were recent cases, one of which was a major case involving the promotion of illegal interactive gambling services in Australia.
Regarding gambling advertising, the Australian Gambling Reform Alliance has also pushed for a ban on all gambling advertisements, especially those targeting children.
ACMA has also held consumer awareness campaigns, such as promoting the Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA) credit card ban to Australian citizens.
