Australian Authority Shuts Down Illegal Online Casinos

Despite numerous strict gambling laws in Australia, Australian land-based casinos have seen considerable growth recently. However, with online casinos that players can access from their mobile devices, Australian authorities have a harder time imposing regulations on them – though it’s not impossible.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) continues to flex its muscle as it shuts down a fresh batch of illegal offshore gambling sites catering to Australian players. The closures were ordered after investigations showed these sites to violate the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

The ACMA Cracks Down on Illegal Offshore Gambling

The ACMA laid down the rules with regard to the regulation of online gambling in Australia. It has been coming down heavily on illegal offshore sites for quite a while now, since 2017. To date, 220 illegal gambling sites run by offshore operators have left the Australian market.

The agency first requested to block an offshore online casino in 2019. That request led to the blocking of 995 online gambling sites and their affiliates. So far in 2024, the ACMA’s strict monitoring has blocked more than 30 illegal offshore gambling sites.

The ACMA has consistently issued warnings and notices to Australian consumers about the risks involved in playing at illegal offshore gambling sites. Additionally, it has issued advisory notices asking people to take a moment and check if the gambling site they are at has a license to and offer their services in Australia.

Number of Offshore Online Casinos Feel the ACMA Pinch

The crackdown by the ACMA has led to several online casinos catering to Australia being shut down in recent times. The most recent shutdown order led to sites like John Vegas Casino, Jackpoty and A Big Candy shutting shop.

There were sites blocked last month as well. These include casinos like Jogi Casino, Dundee Slots, Lukki Casino, Winport Casino, Spin Fever Casino, Lucky Hunter, Lucky Wins Casino and Clubhouse Casino. Prior to this, it had been able to successfully shut down illegal gambling operations during one of the big sporting events of 2023, the Women’s FIFA World Cup.

To track down the illegal offshore casinos and shut them down the ACMA is using the services of local Australian ISPs.

Australia a Staunch Advocate of Safe and Responsible Gambling

Australia is a staunch advocate of responsible gambling and goes all out to ensure that gambling operators have mechanisms in place to ensure vulnerable players are not affected adversely because of their offerings. The authorities are quick to take action where required. A good example is the case by AUSTRAC against SkyCity Adelaide.

At NZ Casino Club, we take player safety seriously as well. You have the guarantee of finding casinos that are reliable, safe and secure. We test every casino that we come across for all the critical parameters that help determine whether they are safe or not.

For instance, only casinos that are licensed by the ACMA feature on our lists. We go through factors like wagering requirements and cashout times and ensure that they do not work negatively for the players, especially the ones who are vulnerable.

Who is the ACMA?

The ACMA is an Australian government body that was formed in 2005 by merging two existing entities – the Australian Communications Authority and the Australian Broadcasting Authority. It acts as a regulator of Australian media, maintaining regulatory standards and passing legislation to regulate media and communication.

Through the Interactive Gambling Taskforce, the ACMA monitors online gambling in the country and ensures all operators are compliant with the rules and guidelines laid down through the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001.

The ACMA states on its site that it has the authority to ask a local ‘internet service provider to block access to a website. It can do this under the aegis of the rules laid down within Section 313 of the Telecommunications Act 1997.