Published
OnlineCasinoLegal & Regulatory

ACMA makes significant illegal gambling website block

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has made one of its most significant illegal gambling website blocks ever, requesting that Australian internet service providers (ISPs) block thepokies.net.

ac ma
Listen To Article

As noted by the ACMA, payments to the website are estimated to run into tens of millions of dollars, with data from Similarweb showing there are around 30,000 Australians visiting the site each month.

An investigation from the authority found the site was operating online casino style games, which are prohibited in the country under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

“We have received more complaints about thepokies.net this year than any other illegal gambling website, and it is clearly doing a lot of harm to the Australian community,” said ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin.

“Complaints have ranged from people who have lost significant amounts of money through to the site refusing to honour deposits and winnings.

“By blocking access to sites like this we are sending a strong message that the ACMA can and will take action to stop illegal operators from targeting Australians.”

The ACMA has also requested ISPs to block illegal gambling sites Azure Hand, Abo Casino, Betroom, 777Bay, Space Lilly, Jet Casino, Katsu Bet, and Winz.

The ACMA added that 160 illegal services have pulled out of the Australian market since the group started enforcing new illegal offshore gambling rules in 2017. Along with website blocking, the authority also relies on industry engagement, targeted enforcement and public education to disrupt illegal gambling.

O’Loughlin added: “If one of these sites decides to keep your money, and we know that happens quite regularly, there is nothing you can do about it.”


Casino News Sponsor
Premium+ Connections
Premium
 
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium Connections
Consultancy
Executive Profiles
Soft2Bet
Scientific Games
Digitain Malta
Follow Us

Facing Facts: Q3 2024 analysis

Gambling Insider takes a look at the Q3 results of operators...

Taking stock: The final count of 2024

Gambling Insider tracks operator and supplier prices of some...

CEO Special: Flutter CEO Peter Jackson – Playing to win

As the biggest publicly traded operator in gambling meets th...

CEO Special: Holland Casino CEO Petra de Ruiter – High flier

Petra de Ruiter, Holland Casino CEO, speaks to Gambling Insi...

A welcome from your host

A message from the Founder of the Global Gaming Awards and G...

From the event manager

A message from the Event Manager of the Global Gaming Awards...

From the Awards adjudicator

KPMG in the Crown Dependencies is the official voting adjudi...

The process

The Global Gaming Awards have deservingly earned the reputat...