ACMA Blocks WinPort Casino + 7 Other Casino Sites
On May 23, 2024, the Australia Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) announced that it had blocked another bunch of supposedly illegal casino gambling websites, including WinPort Casino.
As was announced on the ACMA site, the ACMA has ordered Australian internet service providers to block eight online casino sites.
The ACMA Enforces Gambling Regulations
The ACMA is the primary regulatory body within Australia that controls media, including gambling, television, radio, and other mediums.
When it comes to gambling, the ACMA primarily focuses on what it claims to be safe gambling measures to prevent illegal and unapproved operators from catering to Australian consumers.
The ACMA regulates internet gambling and other media in AustraliaThe Interactive Gaming Act 2001 was amended back in 2017 to restrict online gambling further. As a result, it is illegal for any online casino provider located outside of Australia to offer services to Australian citizens.
Eight Casino Sites Blocked
As a result of this most recent action by the ACMA, Australian internet service providers have blocked eight online gambling websites. The eight websites that have been blocked are:
- WinPort Casino
- Jogi Casino
- Dundee Slots
- Lucky Hunter
- Lucky Wins
- Lukki Casino
- Spin Fever
- Clubhouse Casino
Most of these blocked sites operate in a very similar manner. If we examine one of the more popular sites listed, WinPort Casino, we can gain understanding regarding what these sites offer.
WinPort Casino is a popular online casino websiteAs you can see, WinPort Casino offers a wide selection of casino games, including slots, table games, and specialty games. The overwhelming majority of the hundreds of blocked websites operate very similarly.
Eight Sites Join a Growing Blacklist
The ACMA first started this type of enforcement in November 2019. Since then, 975 supposedly illegal gambling sites and affiliate marketing sites have been blocked and added to the extensive blacklist.
In addition, more than 220 online gambling sites have voluntarily withdrawn from Australia.
The ACMA Continues Blocking Sites
Over the past few years the ACMA has been frequently blocking sites. Back in December of 2023, the ACMA blocked eleven sites. Three months prior, in September of 2023, the ACMA blocked ViperSpin Casino and other sites.
In February of this year, the ACMA blocked twelve gambling sites including Wazamba Casino.
The ACMA continues to claim that these efforts are helpful to Australian citizens. Unfortunately, we feel that the ACMA's efforts are largely unsuccessful. Australians can easily circumvent these bans by adjusting DNS settings. Also, gambling sites can set up new URLs to circumvent the original URL being blocked by the ACMA. Many blocked sites have multiple blocked URLs and continue daily operations with new ones.
Meanwhile, by targeting the most prominent and popular gaming websites, the ACMA risks simply pushing customers over to less reputable operators. These include “social poker” app clubs that are often fronts for illegal real money gaming with shady ownership structures and unreliable networks of agents and sub-agents handling cashout requests.
Online Gambling is Safe and Available in Australia
Despite the continued ACMA regulation, safe online poker and casino gambling are still available to Australians.
Ignition is our favorite online poker and casino website that caters to Australians. Ignition offers numerous casino games and an excellent poker room. New signups will get a 150% first deposit bonus of up to $3,000 through the link below.
If you would like to learn more about Ignition, feel free to peruse this detailed review of Ignition Casino. If you'd like to learn more about other trusted online casinos serving Australians, please feel free to browse over to this guide regarding top online casinos for Australians.
Poker players also have solid options in Australia. Please feel free to check out this extensive Australian online poker guide to learn more regarding the best Australian online poker sites.