The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has blocked two additional illegal gambling websites, Casea and Crown96, for infringing the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. ACMA collaborates closely with internet service providers to shut down sites involved in unlawful activities. To date, it has compiled a blocking list that includes 1,788 unauthorized gaming and affiliate websites. Since the start of its enforcement initiative in 2017, approximately 230 businesses have voluntarily ceased their Australian operations.
However, this blocking strategy faces criticism as operators can easily establish mirror or substitute domains, even when their original sites are taken down. This challenge is particularly important because Australia lacks a licensed domestic market for online casino gambling. Consequently, consumers looking for online casino services are predominantly reliant on offshore operators, who do not offer the same level of consumer protection as regulated entities, as highlighted by ACMA.
Blocking websites is not the only regulatory tool utilized by ACMA. The authority recently levied a A$1.9 million penalty against Tabcorp for alleged violations of advertising rules involving promotional messages sent to customers who had opted for self-exclusion. The ongoing emergence of replacement domains complicates efforts by Australian regulators to curb offshore gambling activities.
