ACMA continues banning gambling sites into 2024

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has been hard at the task of blocking the access of illegal gambling websites to Australians and the country as a whole. The process began several years back and was at first dismissed as over-ambitious and unstainable.

Five years after the fact and 926 banned websites later, however, ACMA is not only leading the way in cracking down on illegal gambling websites, but it’s doing so by following the law to the letter, complying with due process, and collaborating with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to ensure that its rulings have real impact.

The latest round of bans includes 12 new websites that have been found to be at odds with local gambling laws and have provided products that constitute gambling without the necessary licenses and clearances. Among the brands listed on the official websites are:

• Playzilla
• Wazamba
• Zet Casino
• Slots Palace
• Nomini
• Casinia
• SG Casino
• Fez Bet
• Buran Casino
• Spin Better
• Golden Bet
• Clash.gg

ACMA has outlined the reason behind the ban, arguing that the said sites have provided prohibited gambling services to Australians, among which are sports betting and casino gambling. They have not held the necessary interactive gambling service, and they have been publishing ads to further try and solicit players to join.

ACMA has been keeping a firm hand at the rudder, banning 926 websites itself, but also compelling 220 brands to pull out voluntarily – many of which actually have exposure to global markets and are considered reputed entities elsewhere. Not least, ACMA is actively seeking to collaborate with counterparts in other jurisdictions, looking to seek help from local regulators and see them put pressure on companies that continue to target Australia.

For the time being, though, ACMA has been relentless in casting its nets and challenging illegal gambling sites in its own waters.

Image credit: Unsplash.com