The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has reported that it intervened to halt the operations of several illegal betting services during the Women's World Cup. In the lead-up to and during the tournament, which occurred in the summer of 2023, ACMA conducted inspections on 200 offshore companies, with investigations still ongoing for 21 of them.
According to reports, three services were found to be compliant with interactive gambling regulations, while the remaining 18 were discovered to be operating in violation of the law. Subsequently, three of these companies voluntarily exited the Australian market, restricting access to their online platforms for residents. The remaining 15 websites were subsequently blocked by internet service providers following ACMA's intervention.
Carolyn Lidgerwood, a member of ACMA's board and head of online gambling, emphasized that these sites lacked the necessary licenses to provide betting services in Australia. She further highlighted the common tactic of illegal gambling operators leveraging major sporting events to attract fans to their services. ACMA's actions underscore its commitment to combating illegal gambling activities and protecting consumers in Australia.
