Aussie watchdog claims victory in war with int’l gambling sites

Australia’s telecom watchdog is claiming victory in its fight against unauthorized online gambling sites serving the needs of local punters.

On Wednesday, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) released a report that claimed 33 “prominent” internationally licensed online gambling sites had withdrawn from the Australian market in the 12 months since the country’s amended gambling laws took effect.

The amended Interactive Gambling Act 2001, which took effect on September 13, 2017, banned (a) all online sports betting sites not holding an Australian government stamp of approval, (b) online in-play betting, casino or poker products, (c) gambling on credit, and (d) promoting unapproved gambling sites.

In the first three months following the Act’s passage, the ACMA received 108 enquiries and complaints from local busybodies regarding suspected regulatory violations. The ACMA launched 18 separate investigations, which prompted “a number” of the suspect services to kick their Aussie customers to the curb.