Australian Communications and Media Authority

Australia regulates gambling in a fairly specific way compared to other jurisdictions. There are several regulators operating within the state. Since Australia is a federation, each state has its own gambling commission:

• Australian Capital Territory - The Gambling and Racing Commission;
• New South Wales - The Liquor and Gaming NSW, The Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority;
• Northern Territory - The Northern Territory Racing Commission;
• Queensland - The Queensland Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation, The Office of Regulatory Policy;
• South Australia - The Consumer and Business Services;
• Tasmania - The Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission;
• Victoria - The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission, The Office of Liquor, Gaming, and Racing;
• Western Australia - The Western Australian Department of Local Government, Sport, and Cultural Industries.

These commissions operate under state laws that do not conflict with federal laws.

Australia is an attractive country for many online operators, but given that gambling in the country is highly regulated, many of them operate illegally. The Australian Communications and Media Authority has been tasked with combating this category of operators. This organization is responsible for blocking illegal sites on the Internet.

Regulator licensed casinos

Australian Communications and Media Authority does not issue gambling licenses, but only maintains a register of companies officially licensed to accept internet betting in Australia.

Australian Communications and Media Authority review

Australian Communications and Media Authority, ACMA for short, was established in 2005. This organization is an independent regulatory body responsible for communications and media services in the country. It is worth noting that ACMA was established by the Australian government, so its activities apply to all states of the country.

The main objectives are as follows:

• set rules and regulations for media activities and regulate this area;
• provide licenses to companies and individuals to operate in Australia;
• review complaints and take action to resolve them;
• plan and manage radio waves in a way that allows for the integration of new services in the form of 5G.

The Authority's regulation and control covers the following areas:

1. Internet and telephony;
2. TV and radio broadcasting;
3. distributed content in TV and Radio;
4. equipment used by companies in these areas.

ACMA operates under existing legislation, specifically adhering to the Interactive Gambling Act passed by the federal government in 2001. This law prohibits any online casinos within the state, and also does not allow online bookmakers to operate without the proper license.

The organization does not license or regulate gambling companies in the direct sense of the terminology. Its function is to block online casinos that provide their services to Australian citizens and online bookmakers that operate without the necessary license.

Licenses are issued by regulatory body in Australian states, namely:

• Australian Capital Territory - The ACT Gambling and Racing Commission;
• New South Wales - Liquor & Gaming NSW;
• Northern Territory - The NT Racing Commission;
• Queensland - Queensland Office of Gaming Regulation;
• South Australia - Consumer and Business Services;
• Tasmania - Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission;
• Victoria - Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation;
• Western Australia - The Western Australian Department of Local Government, Sport, and Cultural Industries.

On the official website of the organization you can file an anonymous complaint about any web resource, which, in the opinion of the complainant, provides its services in violation of Australian law. There is also a register of all licensed online bookmakers and others licensed by Australian regulators. Currently, more than 50 companies are officially operating in the country's gambling industry.

In addition to blocking sites, the organization monitors the proper placement of gambling advertisements on websites, as well as on TV and radio. This includes both the truthfulness of the advertisements as well as the broadcasting of gambling advertisements at prohibited times. By the way, users can complain not only about an illegal site, but also, for example, inaccurate advertising. The complaint is made directly to the ACMA. 

It is worth noting that the Australian Communications and Media Authority has some advice for players who have played on unlicensed sites and have had a dispute. In this case, you should contact the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR). It includes representatives from almost every licensing body in the world. That is, in most cases, the site of the casino, with which the player has a conflict, has a license. To file a complaint you will need to find this regulator on the IAGR website, there will be full information on how to appeal.

Gallery

License types of Australian Communications and Media Authority

The Australian Communications and Media Authority does not license the gambling industry. It issues the following licenses:

• broadcasting licenses - broadcasting licenses by service type;
• radiocommunications licenses - licenses for equipment transmitting or receiving messages on radio frequencies;
• telecommunications licenses.

Dispute resolution

ACMA is not directly involved in resolving disputes between a licensed gambling provider and a player. As a reference, the official website has a list of all operators licensed by Australian regulatory authorities. Also on the ACMA website there are links to the websites of the relevant Australian licensing authorities. On their sites you can file a complaint. There is also information about the Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR), which you can contact for assistance in resolving a dispute.

Conclusion

Australia's Communications and Media Authority blocks online casinos that operate in the country without the appropriate license. In this case, the organization first issues a warning to the operator and only then begins blocking. It is worth noting that in some cases fines of more than $1.5 million are imposed.

In Casinoz's opinion, the blocking of sites that operate without a license is quite justified. Given that land-based gambling is allowed in the country, it is not difficult for a local to quench his thirst for gambling. Most slot machine halls are within walking distance.