The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has issued its initial official notification to a vendor, Proxous, following the discovery that Proxous Advanced Solutions was in violation of the law by supplying gambling software to 13 unlawful online gambling establishments.
The ACMA’s inquiry revealed that Proxous was deliberately involved in providing prohibited interactive gambling services to Australians by sub-licensing Real Time Gaming (RTG) branded software products that were utilized by the casinos, in contravention of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. These gambling establishments included Fair Go Casino, Two Up Casino, Free Spin, BoVegas, Uptown Pokies, Uptown Aces, Red Dog Casino, Slots Empire, Cherry Gold Casino, Play Croco, Aussie Play, Ozwin Casino, and Reels Of Joy. Each casino relied on the RTG branded software supplied by Proxous to provide online casino services and had previously been recognized by the ACMA as operating illegally in Australia. The ACMA had also issued blocking orders against each brand. These casinos were identified as unlawful gambling brands operating illegally.
The formal notification marks the first instance where the ACMA has taken action against a company for its involvement in providing software to illegal gambling operators.
As the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) began enforcing new regulations against illicit offshore wagering services in 2017, more than 170 of these services have departed the Australian marketplace. The ACMA stated, “Customers should be aware that even if an online gambling service appears authentic, it is improbable that it will have the vital consumer safeguards mandated of authorized services.”
This alert comes after the ACMA recently requested internet service providers in the nation to obstruct access to another 11 offshore gambling websites.
The ACMA determined that Pokie Island, Rich Palms, Lucky Tiger Casino, Megaslot, Bitkingz, Parimatchwin, Casino Rocket, Montecryptos, Cabarino, Robin Roo, and Jackpot Jill VIP were all in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001.
Also recently, the ACMA finalized a collection of rules for the country’s new online and phone gambling self-exclusion registry, which it declared would be called “BetStop.”
BetStop will permit individuals to self-exclude from all Australian licensed online and phone betting services, with exclusions spanning from three months to permanent.
Once a player registers with BetStop, authorized betting providers will be obligated to shut down the individual’s betting account, prevent them from placing wagers, establishing new accounts, and sending any marketing data.
Betting providers in the nation will also be required to advertise BetStop through their websites, mobile applications, and promotional materials.
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