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Internet service providers from Australia have received orders from the Australian Communications and Media Authority to block six additional gambling websites that were found to be illegally offering their services in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. This new development represents a step forward in the continued actions of the Australian authority in its enforcement activities on gambling platforms.
New Websites Added
The 6 websites added to the blocking list are Play Jonny, ACO96, TCL99, Waboom77, Wonaco, and WooSpin. ACMA said website blocking remains one of several measures it uses to protect Australians from illegal online gambling activity.
Since the regulator issued its first blocking request in November 2019, 1,708 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked in Australia. ACMA also said more than 230 illegal services have withdrawn from the Australian market since it began enforcing new rules on illegal online gambling in 2017.
Consumer Warnings
According to ACMA’s statement, the risks involved in playing on gambling sites that are not regulated may include the lack of protection that players may expect when betting on websites that have licenses. The authority said Australians who use these services risk losing their money.
Consumers were also advised to examine the licensing status of the betting provider through the official list of licensed gambling service providers made available by the regulator. This list was designed to assist individuals in establishing that the gambling site is authorized to conduct business.
Enforcement Background
ACMA’s latest action sits within a broader enforcement effort aimed at reducing the reach of unlicensed gambling services in Australia. The regulator has repeatedly used website blocking as a response to operators that continue to target the local market without proper authorization.
The authority said additional information is available on its website, including consumer protection guidance and instructions for lodging complaints against unlicensed sites. The latest update reinforces ACMA’s long-running approach to shutting down access points used by offshore gambling operators.
Ongoing Market Pressure
The regulator’s figures show that blocking orders have become a regular part of its response to illegal gambling websites. With 1,708 sites blocked since 2019 and more than 230 services withdrawing from the market since 2017, ACMA says enforcement remains active.
The latest list of blocked websites adds to the series of actions taken against operators that the authority says are breaching Australian law. For consumers, the message from ACMA remains the same: check licensing status first and avoid services that do not provide the protections required under Australia’s regulated gambling framework.
Source: Asia Gaming Brief
