ACMA issues warnings to international gambling providers

Neha Soni November 5, 2024

SiGMA news

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) recently issued formal warnings to three international gambling providers SlotCatalog, Lucky Block, and Rooli for violating the Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) 2001.The IGA strictly regulates gambling services accessible to Australian residents, and ACMA’s enforcement highlights the importance of compliance for international operators.

ACMA is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing and enforcing the IGA. The organisation monitors online gambling activities, issues warnings to violators, and takes action to block websites that breach Australian regulations.

ACMA’s strict enforcement of the IGA safeguards Australian consumers by ensuring that they only access licenced, secure, and compliant gambling services. This prevents exposure to unregulated, potentially harmful offshore gambling sites.

The recent warnings issued by ACMA targeted three prominent international gambling platforms—SlotCatalog, Lucky Block, and Rooli. These platforms provided unlicenced gambling services accessible to Australians, contravening the IGA.

Major violations and ACMA’s response

ACMA’s investigation revealed that SlotCatalog, represented by Mr. Fedir Havlovskyi, facilitated access to unlicensed gambling services for Australian customers. By promoting links to offshore gambling sites, SlotCatalog was found to be in direct violation of the IGA, prompting ACMA to issue a formal warning to Mr. Havlovskyi.

Lucky Block, operated by Igloo Ventures SRL, is an online gambling service that offers casino-style games and in-play betting. This platform also breached Australian law by providing gambling services to Australian users without a valid licence. According to ACMA, Lucky Block actively promoted its unlicenced gambling services to Australians. The IGA’s strict licensing requirements prohibit such actions, leading ACMA to issue a warning to Igloo Ventures SRL for its violations.

Rooli, operated by Dama N.V. and Strukin Limited, also violated the IGA by providing unlicenced casino games accessible to Australian customers. ACMA’s investigations revealed that Rooli was offering gambling services without the necessary local authorisation. ACMA confirmed that Rooli operated in breach of subsection 15(2A) of the IGA, resulting in a formal warning to its operators. This warning highlights the necessity for offshore operators to secure appropriate licences when catering to Australian users.

Impact on international gambling operators

ACMA’s enforcement actions serve as a warning to other offshore gambling providers. These warnings highlight the importance of compliance with Australian law and deter unauthorised operators from targeting Australian customers.

International gambling operators looking to legally offer their services in Australia must obtain a valid licence, adhere to local laws, and avoid targeting Australian customers without appropriate authorisation.

ACMA’s proactive approach to enforcement reflects its commitment to protecting Australian consumers from unregulated and potentially harmful gambling services. By issuing warnings and blocking access to non-compliant sites, ACMA upholds consumer rights and safety.