ACMA blocks additional illegal gambling sites

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has blocked several more illegal betting sites via a request to Australian internet service providers (ISPs).  

Among the requested access blocks were Lucky7even， Zota Bet， Casino Infinity and 50 Crowns. 

Blocking illegal gaming sites is one of several enforcement options used by the ACMA to combat illegal gaming. Since it first began blocking sites in November 2019， the authority has blocked over 900 gambling and affiliate sites， with an additional 221 illegal services also pulled by the ACMA in the same period.  

Sites can be blocked if they offer illegal gaming options to Australian players， which include online casinos and slots as well as in-play online sports betting. It can also block platforms operating without a licence，Online Casino Games or those that offer unregulated services. 

Sites have previously been blocked in December 2022 and June 2023， with a warning issued in December regarding multiple breaches of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) by operators including Mad Entertainment and Paloma Media.  

The gaming market in Australia has been somewhat turbulent as of late， with bet365 being placed under investigation by AUSTRAC earlier this month for AML/CTF breaches， with AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Thomas stating: “Businesses without adequate processes in place to manage those risks leave themselves vulnerable to exploitation by criminals.” 

A fine was also placed against The Royal Inn Hotel in Waratah last week for 13 offences of the Gaming Machines Act. 

Finally， Tabcorp’s Managing Director and CEO Adam Rytenskild was forced to resign last week following reports of use of offensive language in the workplace that was deemed ill-fitting for his leadership role. Rytenskild denied remembering the use of such language but stepped down from his role regardless.