ACMA Blocks 5 Sites Including ViperSpin Casino
As a part of standard business practices for the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), the agency has banned another 5 online gambling sites that have supposedly breached the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. This most recent enforcement was published on the ACMA website on Sept. 20, 2023.
The ACMA has been frequently requesting that Internet Service Providers in Australia block access to certain gambling sites deemed to be operating in violation of the law. To learn more about this most recent ACMA proceeding and the ACMA in general, please feel free to continue reading this article.
The ACMA Enforces the IGA 2001
The ACMA is responsible for regulating all gambling activities throughout Australia. The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 was revised back in 2016 to tighten restrictions specifically relating to offshore gaming operations.
The amended Gambling Act essentially bans all offshore operators from offering any kind of casino gambling or online poker sites to Australian citizens. Even worse, there is no way for operators to be granted valid licencing besides a handful of sportsbook operators in Australia.
Unfortunately, because of this overly restrictive approach by the ACMA, Australian consumers may be confused as to the legality and legitimacy of certain online gambling sites. The ACMA often blocks access to perfectly reputable sites, like Comic Play Casino and Ignition Casino. At the same time, citizens can still circumvent these bans and access far-shadier gambling sites with ease.
The ACMA regulates Australian gamblingThe Blocked Sites
As has been the case quite frequently of late, the ACMA has asked Australian ISPs to block access to additional gambling sites serving consumers residing in Australia. The ACMA has long asserted that these kinds of offshore gambling operations are not welcome to serve Australians. Thus, the ACMA has added the following five supposedly illegal gambling sites to its ever-growing blacklist.
- Comic Play Casino
- Viperspin
- Just Casino
- Betandplay
- Play Fina
Despite there being some questionability as to whether or not any of these sites should be illegal, the ACMA has made it clear that it will continue to enforce Australian gambling law to the best of its ability. Unfortunately, this will result in the ACMA continuing to block any and all offshore casino operators.
In examining the five sites a bit closer, it becomes fairly obvious that all five of these sites operate in a very similar fashion. These sites offer games like slots, blackjack, roulette, and live dealer table games to Australian consumers in addition to catering to players in other areas of the world.
If we take a look at the ViperSpin Casino site, we can understand a bit more about how these sites operate and the kinds of gaming on offer. As you can see, ViperSpin is a fairly standard online casino site with a few somewhat notable marketing tactics, eye-grabbing colour schemes, and viper and snake-related branding.
ViperSpin Casino gamesSites Join a Long Blacklist
As we have previously reported numerous times here at ProfessionalRakeback.com, the ACMA has been adding gambling and affiliate marketing sites to the blacklist with a high rate of consistency.
The ACMA first began enforcing the updated gambling regulations in 2017. By 2019, the agency began blocking access to sites through Australian ISPs. There are now 835 supposedly illegal gambling and affiliate sites on the extensive blacklist of blocked sites.
In addition, many operators have pre-emptively decided to stop serving Australian consumers. According to the ACMA, 215 services have withdrawn from the Australian market dating back to 2017.
The ACMA Continues Enforcement
As we have covered in detail on this website, the ACMA refuses to let up when it comes to offshore gambling operators serving Australian players. Just last month in August, the ACMA blocked several gambling sites.
Unfortunately, this is certainly not a new occurrence. This has been happening with increasing regularity over the past few years. Earlier this year, the ACMA blocked 12 sites including Zen brands. Back in February, the agency blocked Pokie Surf and another few sites.
The reality is that these efforts are questionable at best. Since the ACMA began this kind of enforcement back in 2019, gambling sites have found simple ways of circumventing these bans like creating new URLs. Additionally, players can alter their DNS settings to bypass these restrictions.
Because of this, it seems like the ACMA is really just spinning its wheels and repeating the same basic enforcement without much regard for the actual effectiveness or success of these efforts. Another concern is that when the ACMA blocks reputable sites, it can potentially divert Australian consumers to play at inferior and less trustworthy gambling sites where their funds and personal information may be at risk.
Online Casino Gaming and Poker Still Present in Australia
Although the ACMA's recent efforts to thwart online gambling have had some impact without question, fortunately, online poker and gambling are still available for Australians and there are plenty of safe and reputable options.
Australian players who are interested in casino gambling, like slots and table games, may want to check out this helpful Australian online casinos guide that covers the best and most reputable online gambling sites available to Australians.
Joe Fortune is one of the leading online casino operators catering to Australians, and we highly recommend it as the site boasts plenty of valuable bonuses and fair casino games. Moreover, it is related to the longstanding Bovada and Ignition brands. If you would like to play at Joe Fortune and haven't yet registered for the site, please feel free to utilise the button below to sign up today.
If you'd like to find out more information regarding Joe Fortune and the gambling services featured, please feel free to browse over and check out this extensive Joe Fortune Casino review.
Perhaps you are more interested in playing online poker as opposed to casino gambling. If so, then you may want to check out this comprehensive page dedicated to the best Australian online poker sites.