Australia considering new blacklisting regime
ISP blocking of unlicensed sites to be included in long-delayed responsible gambling framework
Legislators in Australia are considering whether to introduce ISP blocking measures to prevent Australian punters from accessing unlicensed international gambling operators websites.
The proposals are included as part of the long-delayed National Consumer Protection Framework (NCPF), an 11 point plan designed to implement a broader system of controls on the Australian gambling industry that was first proposed in 2016.
If implemented, the scheme will ask for the voluntary participation of Australian internet service providers who will be subject to a yet to be developed Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) code of practice. The eventual aim is to prevent as many as three-quarters of Australian internet users from accessing unlicensed sites.
The move comes as a response to an October 2017 paper on the so-called “Black economy” which highlighted that “little progress” had been made in tackling illegal gambling.
The report later recommended a requirement to operate ISP blocking be implemented and that Australian banks should be “encouraged to prevent transactions to and from offshore wagering websites.”
Under the current Interactive Gambling Industry Code, established by the ACMA in 2001, telecommunications providers are required to provide internet users with access to filtering software enabling the blocking of overseas-based gambling sites (based on a list maintained by the Australian Broadcasting Authority). However, installation and use of the software by users is entirely voluntary.
The new scheme will feature a system of ‘pop-up’ warnings delivered by ISP provider alerting customers of prohibited gambling services that they will soon be blocked and allowing them to withdraw their funds in advance of any potential blocking.
This proposed system has been criticised by the Communications Alliance, a group of some of Australia’s biggest telecommunications companies which argues that these measures cannot be effectively implemented. It also argues that Australian internet users can use VPN and TOR services to get around any blocking measures.