ACMA takes action over illegal gambling websites
In its latest round of blocking orders, ACMA said Vave, Highway Casino and Online Casinos Australia had been operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
As such, ACMA put out a request for internet service providers in the country to block access to each site.
Some 747 illegal sites have been blocked since ACMA made its first request in November 2019, while over 200 illegal services have also pulled out of Australia since the ACMA began enforcing new illegal offshore gambling rules in 2017.
Skins
Meanwhile, ACMA has issued a formal warning to Feral Holdings Limited after ruling that the operator had been running its CS:GO Roll website in Australia illegally.
An ACMA investigation found CS:GO Roll was providing casino-style online games, which are illegal under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 if games are played for money or anything else of value.
Players could deposit ‘skins’ from video game Counter Strike: Global Offensive in exchange for in-game coins that could be used to gamble on casino-style games. Winnings were paid out in skins, which could be converted into real money using third-party platforms.
In addition to receiving a formal warning, Feral Holdings’ CS:GO Roll website was withdrawn from Australia.
“Providing casino-style games online is prohibited in Australia when playing for money or something of value, whether that’s Australian dollars, cryptocurrency or in this case, online gaming skins,” ACMA chair Nerida O’Loughlin said.
“Skins gambling services are particularly concerning as they tap into a youth market and have the potential to convert gamers into gamblers.”