ACMA issues two further blocking orders against offshore sites

Pokizino and ABA Lucky 33 were deemed to be operating in the country illegally, with ACMA having contacted Australian internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to both sites.

ACMA said that, as neither site held a licence, they were operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 and as such were offering online gambling in Australia illegally.

ACMA blocking history

Since ACMA made its first blocking request in November 2019, a total of 652 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked.

In addition, more than 180 illegal services have pulled out of the Australian market since the authority began enforcing new illegal offshore gambling rules in 2017.

The two latest blocking requests come after ACMA last month also requested ISPs block access to nine other sites.

Following a series of investigations, ACMA found Winning Days, 21Bit Casino, Oshi Casino, Lucky Elf Casino, NeoSpin, Lets Lucky, Boho Casino, Ripper Casino and BC.Game were all operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

Affiliate focus

This announcement followed a pledge earlier this month, where ACMA said it would focus on “affiliate services that promote and drive traffic to illegal online casinos” this year.

ACMA explained its actions for the July-September period, declaring affiliate services that drive traffic to illegal and offshore offerings while often posing as independent reviewers of gambling sites are its compliance priority.