The global effort to shut down unlicensed and unregistered online gambling sites isn’t stopping, and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is making sure that it does its part. Recently, ACMA blocked five more unauthorized websites that targeted the Australian market.
The gambling sites that were shut down are Juicy Stakes, Koala Royal, National Casino, Jackpot Jill and Grand Rush. After a series of complaints by the public, ACMA launched an investigation into the activities of all five of the platforms, leading to blocks being put in place.
Websites Breached the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001
ACMA’s investigation showed that the five online casinos that were operating in Australia were in direct violation of the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001. ACMA released an announcement on its official website and it stated that by blocking these types of websites, the public gets the opportunity to be alerted of gambling activities that are illegal via messaging that pops up when an attempt to access the site is made.
Additionally, the ACMA reminded players that even if they come across a service that seems legitimate, it is not very likely for it to have customer protections. Hence, Australian players that use gambling services that are illegal face the risk of losing their money.
Unregistered international sites that are targeting Australia and are trying to attract players from this market are an increasing threat and this blockage is one of the latest efforts by the ACMA to make sure that Australians are safe online. In August, ACMA requested that internet service providers block affiliate websites that are trying to promote/advertise gambling online in any way. The campaign on illegal gambling websites was started by the ACMA in 2019, and since then, 295 websites have been blocked and 140 services were pulled out of the Australian market.
Online Scams Are A Rising Threat in the World
On a global scale, Internet scams are responsible for over $100 billion in both private and company losses. Regulatory bodies such as the ACMA are established with the purpose of blocking these sites and making sure that the players are safe. Keeping players secure while they are searching for online casino games is now more important than ever, especially in Australia. Statistics showed that during the pandemic lockdown in 2020, online betting increased by 67%.
That trend is likely to continue due to the fact that online gambling is on an upwards trend and experts believe that by 2023, the global revenue that these sites make will likely exceed $92 billion. There’s also a possibility of that revenue reaching $100 billion by 2025. The rise in online gambling is a result of the easy accessibility, rich game libraries and bonuses and promotions that operators are offering to registered players.