The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has released the findings of an investigation into illegal online gambling services operating during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. The published report states that 200 offshore services were inspected in the run-up to and during the event. Twenty-one of them were investigated because they appeared to be aimed directly at Australians. As a result, 18 services were found to be operating in breach of the Online Gambling Act 2001 .
Following notification of ACMA's findings, three of these services withdrew from the Australian market, and the remaining 15 services were blocked by ISPs at the authority's request.
Prohibited services in Australia
ACMA member and head of online gambling Caroline Lidgerwood said the sites were not licensed by the government to provide betting services and in some cases offered interactive gambling such as online casinos and slots or online in-play betting, which are prohibited in Australia .
“Illegal gambling operators often take advantage of high-profile sporting events to sell their services to fans. In addition, these sites do not have any of the consumer protection guarantees that apply to licensed betting services in Australia. Using these sites is more than gambling because you have no rights and even if you win, you may never see the money,” says Lidgerwood.
Since 2019, the ACMA has been asking internet service providers to block gambling sites found to be operating in breach of Australia's online gambling laws. During this time, more than 900 illegal gambling and affiliate sites were blocked. More than 220 illegal services have also exited the Australian market since the agency began enforcing rules on illegal offshore gambling.
The regulator notes that minimizing harm from gambling is a priority and that Australians can check the ACMA's online registry to see if a gambling service is licensed to operate in Australia.