A new report from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) showed a troubling pattern: more than one in ten Australians have engaged in online wagering within the past half-year. This signifies a rise since 2020, with figures climbing from 8% to 11%. Alarmingly, the ACMA also discovered that the regularity of internet gambling has escalated for many since the pandemic’s onset. The appeal of digital sports and racing wagers, specifically, seems to have expanded, with involvement in these types of gambling leaping from 5% to 8% of Australians. The ACMA is especially apprehensive about the influence of partner marketing and social platforms in publicizing online gambling, particularly considering the substantial fees these services frequently obtain from gaming enterprises. The organization stressed its dedication to safeguarding Australians from gambling-associated detriment, underscoring the necessity for ongoing watchfulness and measures in this domain.
Back in 2017, the Australian government implemented stricter regulations on unauthorized international gambling platforms, aiming to restrict domestic access. This initiative focused on services such as internet-based casinos that were illicitly providing services to Australian citizens. Consequently, numerous dubious gambling websites and their associated marketing partners have been forced to cease operations.
