The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), the country’s telecommunications regulator, has outlined its strategic focus for the year ahead. In a recent report, ACMA emphasized its intention to crack down on affiliate services that drive traffic to illegal online casinos. These services, often disguised as independent reviewers of gambling sites, are in violation of Australia’s Interactive Gaming Act (IGA). The ACMA’s efforts to disrupt the marketing and supply of unlawful offerings have led to investigations and enforcement actions against several affiliate services.
ACMA’s Compliance Priority:
During the July-September period, the ACMA prioritized its actions against affiliate services that promote and direct traffic to illegal and offshore gambling platforms. These services deceive users by presenting themselves as independent reviewers while facilitating access to prohibited gambling activities. In response, the authority investigated 20 affiliate services over the three-month period to disrupt their operations and curb the supply of illegal gambling services in Australia. The investigations revealed a significant number of affiliate services breaching the ban on advertising illegal gambling services under the IGA.
Enforcement Measures:
The ACMA took appropriate enforcement action against these unlawful services. It issued 11 formal warnings to the providers found to be in violation. Of these, eight services implemented measures to prevent Australian residents from accessing the illegal sites, ensuring compliance with the IGA. Nine services were blocked by internet service providers (ISPs) at the request of the IGA, effectively restricting access from Australia. Three services remain under monitoring. The ACMA reported that IP blocking has proven successful in reducing traffic from Australia to blocked sites, with visitor numbers decreasing by 90-100%.
Investigations and Consequences:
The ACMA conducted 12 investigations involving 25 gambling sites, identifying breaches in 10 instances. These investigations revealed 21 cases of sites offering illegal services under the IGA and six cases of unlicensed regulated services. As a result, formal warnings were issued to 13 operators, and 36 URLs were reported to a “family-friendly” filter service. Additionally, the ACMA implemented IP blocking for a total of 96 websites during the three-month period. These actions reflect ongoing efforts to prevent Australian consumers from accessing illegal offshore gambling platforms.
Effectiveness of Website Blocking:
The ACMA’s report highlights the effectiveness of website blocking in disrupting the provision of illegal online gambling and affiliate services to Australian users, although it acknowledges that it does not entirely prevent such activities. The IP blocking measures implemented by the authority have significantly reduced traffic from Australia to the blocked sites, demonstrating their impact on limiting access to unlawful gambling platforms.
Consumer Protection Framework and Responsible Gambling:
The ACMA’s intensified efforts align with Australia’s new National Consumer Protection Framework, which includes responsible gambling messaging guidelines. These measures aim to safeguard consumers and promote responsible gambling practices within the country. By targeting affiliate services that promote illegal online casinos, the ACMA contributes to fostering a safer gambling environment and protecting vulnerable individuals from the potential harm associated with unlawful gambling activities.
The ACMA’s commitment to enforcing regulations surrounding illegal online gambling is evident through its focus on affiliate services that drive traffic to prohibited platforms. By investigating and taking enforcement actions against these services, the authority aims to disrupt their operations and prevent the marketing and supply of illegal gambling offerings in Australia. Alongside website blocking measures, the ACMA’s efforts support the country’s consumer protection framework and responsible gambling guidelines, ultimately working towards a safer gambling landscape for Australian consumers.