The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has called on Australia’s internet service providers to block two illegal offshore lottery websites – the first-time lottery sites have ever been blocked in the country.
An ACMA investigation found the two sites, We Love Lotto and Red Fox Lotto, were offering tickets to Australians in major overseas online lotteries despite not being licensed to do so.
“We Love Lotto and Red Fox Lotto are both operating illegally in Australia, meaning there are no consumer safeguards in place for players,” said Authority member Fiona Cameron.
“Blocking illegal offshore sites protects Australians from potentially dodgy operators where there is little or no recourse if things go wrong. Lottery services that are licensed in Australia and operating legally have important safeguards that consumers expect.”
While these are the first lottery services to be blocked, the ACMA has been requesting ISPs block illegal casino-style gambling sites since November 2019, with a new report published on Tuesday showed that the ACMA targeted 55 services for site blocking in the 2020–21 financial year.
It also said that 156 offshore online gambling providers have withdrawn from the Australian market since the ACMA was given expanded responsibilities and powers under changes to Australia’s Interactive Gambling Act 2001 in September 2017.
“We are very pleased with the outcome and it shows that the steps we are taking to combat illegal online gambling in Australia have had a positive impact,” Cameron said.
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