The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is calling on internet service providers (ISPs) to block two illegal offshore lottery websites, Love Lotto and Red Fox Lotto.
“We Love Lotto and Red Fox Lotto are both operating illegally in Australia, meaning there are no consumer safeguards in place for players,” said ACMA member Fiona Cameron. It’s the first-time lottery sites have ever been blocked in the country.
“Blocking illegal offshore sites protects Australians from potentially dodgy operators where there is little or no recourse if things go wrong,” Cameron continued. “Lottery services that are licensed in Australia and operating legally have important safeguards that consumers expect.”
ACMA has been asking ISPs to block illegal gambling sites since November 2019, according to Inside Asian Gaming. A recent report showed that the body targeted 55 services for site-blocking in the 2020–21 financial year. A total of 156 offshore online gambling providers have left the Australian market since 2017, when ACMA was given expanded authority under Australia’s Interactive Gambling Act.
“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.
However, the report also found that many consumers blocked from illegal websites did not automatically shift to legal sites. “Website blocking also provides a valuable opportunity to educate the Australian public about gambling services that are illegal,” the report found.
