Australian online gambling regulator publishes first infringements report

The Australian Communications and Media Authority, which has the task of enforcing online gambling laws recently updated in the country (see previous reports) has published its first infringement report, revealing that 19 ‘suspected’ infringements were identified.

The report covers the first three-month period of ACMA oversight, during which the regulator received 108 enquiries and complaints regarding suspected violations of the amended Interactive Gambling Act.

38 of these complaints were categorised as valid, leading to 19 cases under investigation. Nine of these involve allegations of providing illegal online gambling services (casino and poker); eight concerned alleged provision of unlicensed online gambling services (online sports betting is permitted under licence in Australia); and two cases revolved around advertising or promoting prohibited or unlicensed online gambling services.

Whilst the Authority does not identify the companies under investigation, it does reveal that a total of 65 URLs are involved, and that an unspecified number of those under investigation had stopped Australian activities on being approached and warned by the Authority.

It is not clear whether the other companies under investigation are to be prosecuted or warned…the Authority has quite sweeping powers in that regard and can apply for injunctive or punitive federal court orders if required.

Our readers attending the ICE Totally Gaming show in London earlier this month may have come into contact with a representative of the ACMA, who was quite active in seeking out software providers, affiliate marketers and operators in order to warn that breaches of the new Aussie laws will not be tolerated.

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