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Industry lobby Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA) is advocating for a dedicated gambling blacklist with teeth to force social media platforms to strip out ads and accounts from illegal offshore betting sites. RWA CEO Kai Cantwell told The Australian that current Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) powers to block unlawful gambling URLs fall short, despite taking down over 1,500 sites in recent years. Offshore players move too fast for blocks, he said, grabbing 36 percent of Australia’s sports betting market and hurting licensed firms like Sportsbet, Tabcorp, and Ladbrokes.
Current Blocks Can’t Keep Pace With Tech
Cantwell pointed to sophisticated tactics letting offshore providers hit Australians quicker than regulators can react. ACMA’s URL directives to internet providers help, but illegal sites dodge via new domains and social channels. A blacklist would mirror eSafety Commissioner powers on other illegal content, mandating platforms to yank marketing tied to offshore operators. Banks and payment processors would also cut off transactions, starving the shadow market.
The pitch comes as Australia debates gambling ads writ large. A 2023 parliamentary report, “You win some, you lose more,” listed a total ad ban among 31 recommendations, covering licensed operators too. RWA’s stance flips that, seeking selective blocks to shield locals while letting compliant play breathe.
Offshore Share Squeezes Licensed Market
With 36 percent of bets flowing offshore, licensed books lose ground to untaxed rivals offering sharper odds or lax checks. Cantwell framed the blacklist as leveling the field, using social media muscle and payment gates to choke illegal flow. Social platforms, key ad vectors, would face orders to scrub accounts, mirroring rules on hate or terror content.
ACMA’s 1,500-plus blocks show effort, but evasion wins. RWA wants escalation: proactive delisting over reactive whack-a-mole.
Panel to Dive Deeper at Regulating the Game
Cantwell will unpack offshore challenges at next month’s Sydney Regulating the Game conference, joined by key voices. The “Black Market Gambling: Drivers, Dynamics and Policy Challenges” session features Michael Phelan APM, Kroll strategic advisor and ex-CEO of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission; Carolyn Lidgerwood, ACMA authority member; David Foster, Entain’s Group Director of International Regulatory Affairs; and Armina Antoniou, Crown Resorts Chief Risk Officer. Inside Asian Gaming’s Managing Editor Ben Blaschke rounds out the lineup.
The talk promises granular looks at drivers, tech tricks, and fixes, spotlighting blacklist viability.
Licensed Operators Face Ad Ban Talks
RWA’s call highlights irony: while pushing offshore blocks, Australia mulls blanket ad bans from a 2023 inquiry. That report eyed a three-year phaseout for all gambling marketing, legal or not. Licensed firms fight for survival against offshore tide, yet face their own promo squeeze. Cantwell’s plan carves space for them, hitting illicit ads without touching home turf.
The 36 percent offshore chunk underscores stakes. Licensed players pay taxes, follow rules; shadows dodge both, luring punters with unchecked offers.
Blacklist Could Reshape Enforcement
A gambling blacklist would hand regulators social and payment levers, beyond ISP blocks. Platforms like Facebook or TikTok would scrub operator-linked content, banks freeze flows. Cantwell sees it closing gaps ACMA can’t, protecting locals from scams and lax play.
Conference timing fits rising calls. With 1,500 sites down but market share leaking, RWA bets targeted tools to beat broad bans.
Conference Spotlights Offshore Fight
Sydney’s Regulating the Game panel assembles enforcers, operators, and risk experts to hash dynamics. Phelan’s intel background, Lidgerwood’s ACMA perch, Foster’s global view, Antoniou’s risk lens, and Blaschke’s regional take promise depth. Cantwell leads, pushing blacklist as game-changer.
As offshore grabs 36 percent, the session could sway policy. Licensed Australia hangs in the balance, seeking shields without self-sabotage.
Source: Inside Asian Gaming (IAG)
