Online gaming provider Proxous Advanced Solutions Limited was recently flagged by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for providing gaming products to online casinos that offer illegal games in Australia.A formal warning was issued after an investigation into the company uncovered problems.
Violation of the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001
An AMCA investigation found that Proxus violated the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. Proxous has sub-leased Realtime Gaming's software products, which has resulted in providing games to online gambling sites that are not legally permitted to serve in Australia.
A report by AMCA showed that the company provided licensed software to the following illegal sites:
Aussie Play
BoVegas
Cherry Gold Casino
Fair Go Casino
Free Spin
Ozwin Casino
Play Croco
Reels of Joy
Red Dog Casino
Slots Empire
Two Up Casino
Uptown Pokies
Uptown AcesEach of these providers uses real-time gaming software to offer their online casino games.This includes serving players in Australia.By previous investigations the Observatory has determined that such services are illegal in the country.
block these services
ACMA is currently taking action to try to block illegal gambling services in Australia.This formal warning to Proxous marks the first time regulators have taken action against a business linked to illegal gambling operations via software.
In June, ACMA ordered a local internet service provider to ban ThePokies.net after customers complained about unauthorized sites.The domain has around 6 Australian players each month, many of whom lost large sums of cash or failed to receive their jackpot prizes. ACMA has determined that the site is harming the community and that blocking access is the best way to protect consumers.
Regulators have tightened gambling rules related to illegal offshore services since 2017, during which time more than 170 providers have been removed from the region. AMCA wants consumers to know that even if an online gambling site appears legit, it is important that the provider is licensed to offer their services.
Players can use the ACMA-provided register to check if an operator is licensed to offer their services.This way, players can be sure that they are accessing game options through an authorized operator. ACMA also provides information on how to protect yourself from illegal gambling operators and how to lodge a complaint against sites offering illegal gambling services in Australia.
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