The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has ordered the blocking of three illegal offshore gambling websites and has also taken action against sites that allow players to gamble with video game ‘skins’.
ACMA said in its latest injunction that Vave, Highway Casino and Online Casino Australia had operated in violation of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
As a result, ACMA has asked domestic Internet service providers to block access to each site.
Some 747 illegal sites have been blocked since ACMA made its first request in November 2019, while more than 200 have been blocked since ACMA began enforcing new illegal offshore gambling rules in 2017. Illegal services have also been pulled out of Australia.
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Meanwhile, ACMA has issued a formal warning to Feral Holdings Limited after it was found to have illegally operated a CS:GO Roll website in Australia.
ACMA’s investigation found that CS:GO Roll offers casino-style online games, but if the games are played for money or anything else of value, the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001 may be violated. below is illegal.
Players can deposit “skins” of the video game Counter Strike: Global Offensive in exchange for in-game coins that can be used to gamble in casino-style games. Prizes were paid in skins and could be converted to real money using third party platforms.
In addition to receiving a formal warning, Feral Holdings’ CS:GO Roll website has been shut down from Australia.
ACMA Chairman Nerida O’Loughlin said: “Australia offers casino-style games online when playing for money or something of value (Australian dollars, cryptocurrencies, or in this case, online game skins). It is prohibited,” he said.
“Skin gambling services are of particular concern as they tap into the youth market and can turn gamers into gamblers.”
