The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has requested internet service providers (ISPs) in Australia to block access to offshore gambling domains operated by Kings Chance Service.
This comes after the ACMA selected Engine to create Australia’s first ever national self-exclusion service.
ACMA issues blocking order to Kings Chance
Following an investigation carried out by the ACMA, it was found that Kings Chance Service was operating in breach of the 2001 Interactive Gambling Act. The ACMA carried out the investigation after numerous complaints were made about the online brand.
In its investigation, the ACMA found that Kings Chance Service was operating illegally in Australia and the Authority has now requested ISPs in the country to block access to the operator’s sites.
The ACMA began making blocking requests in November 2019 and since then 272 illegal gambling sites have been blocked by Australian ISPs.
According to the ACMA, more than 130 illegal online gambling services have been forced out of the Australian market since the authority began enforcing new illegal offshore gambling rules in 2017.
In April, the ACMA ordered ISPs to block access to Bao Casino, Pokie Place, Reels of Joy and Ozwin Casino.
In its statement, the ACMA said: “Website blocking provides a valuable opportunity to alert the public to illegal gambling services through the messaging that appears when there is an attempt to access the site.
“The ACMA is reminding consumers that even if a service looks legitimate, it’s unlikely to have important customer protections. This means Australians who use illegal gambling services risk losing their money.”
The new blocking requests come after the ACMA selected the technology provider Engine to produce Australia’s first national self-exclusion register last week.
Engine to create Australia’s national self-exclusion service
According to the agreement, Engine will develop, operate and roll out the National Self-Exclusion Register on behalf of the ACMA.
Once the Register is rolled out, people will be able to self-exclude from all licensed interactive wagering service providers in Australia.
Consumers will be able to self-exclude for anywhere between three months to permanently and will cover licensed online and telephone betting services such as those offering betting on horse racing and sports. Operators will also be prohibited from directly advertising and promoting their products to anyone who has self-excluded.
In the UK, Engine has worked with Gamstop to help approximately 200,000 people self-exclude from gambling as of April 2021.
The ACMA will now begin consultation with industry stakeholders and once the project has been approved, Engine will get to work on designing and developing the service.
Trialing of the service is expected to commence later this year ahead of an anticipated launch before mid-2022.