Australian authorities to probe JustBet activities

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has launched an investigation into alleged illegal activities by sports betting site JustBet.

According to ABC News, JustBet “pretended” to be registered to operate in the country in order to offer its services to Australian punters.

JustBet is said to have been registered in Panama and had its IP address traced to Costa Rica, but did not hold a licence in any Australian state.

However, the operator, which offers cryptocurrency and US dollar-based betting, was indeed registered in the Australian island territory of Christmas Island by the Christmas Island Domain Administration (CIDA).

Australia’s updated Interactive Gambling Act bans online gaming operators from offering unlicensed cryptocurrency-based wagering, and, as such, the ACMA will look into the case.

Amended laws in Australia now allow the ACMA to apply to the Federal Court to issue penalties or injunctions against operators that have broken the law, as well as speak with regulators in other jurisdictions if one of their licensed operators has violated Australian laws.

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