What laws may change regarding offshore casinos
1. Introduction
Australia is actively tightening regulation of online gambling, including for offshore operators. In recent years, ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) has consistently expanded the list of banned sites and applied increasingly stringent measures against companies serving Australian players. It is expected that in the coming years the laws will be supplemented with new control mechanisms.
2. Possible directions of changes
2. 1. Tightening Interactive Gambling Act 2001
Expanding the list of prohibited gambling services, including new game formats and hybrid products (for example, NFT games with betting elements).
Clearer definitions of what counts as service delivery in Australia, even if the servers and license are overseas.
2. 2. Increased accountability for intermediaries
Possible introduction of fines for payment providers, banks and processing companies that conduct transactions in favor of offshore casinos.
Restrictions for advertising platforms and affiliates promoting offshore sites in AU.
2. 3. Extension of interlocks
Enhanced ACMA powers to block mirrors and mobile applications of offshore casinos.
Cooperation with large browsers and search engines to remove links to prohibited sites.
2. 4. International cooperation
Greater engagement with regulators in Malta, Curaçao and other jurisdictions to suspend or revoke the licences of offshore operators working with Australians without permission.
Joint investigations with Interpol into fraud and money laundering cases through gambling.
3. New measures to protect players
3. 1. National self-exclusion registries
A possible expansion of the BetStop system to the international level, so that players added to the register are automatically blocked in offshore casinos cooperating with the regulator.
3. 2. Mandatory identity verification
Imposing KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements even on foreign operators hosting Australian players is at risk of being blocked.
3. 3. Control of cryptocurrency transactions
Mechanisms are likely to be developed to monitor and block cryptocurrency transfers if they are used to bet in offshore casinos.
4. Potential penalties and sanctions
Increase in maximum penalties for operators (today they can reach millions of AUD, but their multiple increase is discussed).
Introducing personal liability for offshore executives working with Australians.
5. Conclusion
The vector of development of Australian legislation is obvious: it will become stricter, with an emphasis on the complete exclusion of citizens' access to unauthorized online casinos, including offshore ones. In the coming years, ACMA is expected to receive additional powers to block, control transactions and interact with international regulators. For players, this means a reduction in available offshore platforms, and for operators, an increase in legal risks and costs of circumventing restrictions.
Australia is actively tightening regulation of online gambling, including for offshore operators. In recent years, ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) has consistently expanded the list of banned sites and applied increasingly stringent measures against companies serving Australian players. It is expected that in the coming years the laws will be supplemented with new control mechanisms.
2. Possible directions of changes
2. 1. Tightening Interactive Gambling Act 2001
Expanding the list of prohibited gambling services, including new game formats and hybrid products (for example, NFT games with betting elements).
Clearer definitions of what counts as service delivery in Australia, even if the servers and license are overseas.
2. 2. Increased accountability for intermediaries
Possible introduction of fines for payment providers, banks and processing companies that conduct transactions in favor of offshore casinos.
Restrictions for advertising platforms and affiliates promoting offshore sites in AU.
2. 3. Extension of interlocks
Enhanced ACMA powers to block mirrors and mobile applications of offshore casinos.
Cooperation with large browsers and search engines to remove links to prohibited sites.
2. 4. International cooperation
Greater engagement with regulators in Malta, Curaçao and other jurisdictions to suspend or revoke the licences of offshore operators working with Australians without permission.
Joint investigations with Interpol into fraud and money laundering cases through gambling.
3. New measures to protect players
3. 1. National self-exclusion registries
A possible expansion of the BetStop system to the international level, so that players added to the register are automatically blocked in offshore casinos cooperating with the regulator.
3. 2. Mandatory identity verification
Imposing KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements even on foreign operators hosting Australian players is at risk of being blocked.
3. 3. Control of cryptocurrency transactions
Mechanisms are likely to be developed to monitor and block cryptocurrency transfers if they are used to bet in offshore casinos.
4. Potential penalties and sanctions
Increase in maximum penalties for operators (today they can reach millions of AUD, but their multiple increase is discussed).
Introducing personal liability for offshore executives working with Australians.
5. Conclusion
The vector of development of Australian legislation is obvious: it will become stricter, with an emphasis on the complete exclusion of citizens' access to unauthorized online casinos, including offshore ones. In the coming years, ACMA is expected to receive additional powers to block, control transactions and interact with international regulators. For players, this means a reduction in available offshore platforms, and for operators, an increase in legal risks and costs of circumventing restrictions.
