The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) took a strong stance against illegal gambling operations that masquerade as casino affiliates by operating review sites. It’s the first time that ACMA has moved against casino affiliates who push players towards online casinos, but don’t actually offering any gambling themselves.
Officials at the ACMA said that this type of casino affiliate works to actively push Australian players out of the regulated market and into the Wild West of unregulated play. Even worse, they say, is that most players have no idea that they’re actually getting funneled to sites that are not licensed to be serving Australian casino play.
The newly blocked sites include: Aussie Casino Hex, Australia OK Casinos, Aussie Online Pokies, Pokies, Australian Casino Club, Australian Gambling and True Blue Casinos.
In a statement posted on the ACMA site, ACMA Authority Member Fiona Cameron said blocking casino review sites like these is essential for protecting Aussie consumers. “These marketing sites can push you to illegal gambling services that do not have the protections that go with licensed and regulated services.
“We often get complaints from consumers that winnings are not honoured and that incentives and pressure tactics target problem gamblers,” she said.
Since its powers were expanded to include ordering Australian ISPs to block websites that are in violation of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 in 2017, the ACMA blocked 249 sites. ACMA officials claim that the blocks have resulted in a 95 percent reduction of traffic to the top ten blocked sites.