The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), the Australian government agency that oversees regulating online and media, has ordered another five offshore gambling websites to be blocked.

The websites in question are Viperspin, Just Casino, Betandplay, Play Fina and Comic Play Casino, which the Australian Communications and Media Authority found to have been operating illegally in Australia. The regulator announced that the respective websites breached the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority asked internet service providers in the country to block access to these online casinos, so when somebody tries to access them they will see a message from the government instead of the home page of the website.

ACMA released a statement in which it underlined once again that players from Australia who use such illegal gambling websites will not be protected by Australian laws. “This means our laws can’t help if something goes wrong, like if the service provider withholds winnings,” the regulator explained.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority can act against gambling websites that do not hold licenses to operate in the country or if they offer prohibited services such as online slot games or in-play sports betting. Moreover, publishing ads for another website that is unlicensed or runs prohibited services is also forbidden and can lead to ACMA requesting the respective publisher to be blocked.

835 Websites Blocked and Counting

Before this latest blocking request, the Australian Communications and Media Authority had successfully blocked 830 gambling and affiliate websites. The regulator also determined 215 services to exit the Australian market since ACMA began to crack down on illegal offshore gambling in 2017.

Last month, ACMA ordered the blocking of Crown Pokies and Play AUD, which the regulator deemed as operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. In July, the Australian Communications and Media Authority blocked another five websites: Reef Reels, Royal Reels, Ricky Casino, Slots Gallery and Slotastic.

June was by far the most prolific month of the year for ACMA as it blocked no less than 12 websites that month, after having managed to shut down another three websites in May 2023.

Source: “ACMA orders blocking of five more offshore gambling websites“. iGaming Business. September 20, 2023.

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