What is prohibited internet gambling content?
The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (the IGA) makes it an offence to provide or advertise certain forms of interactive gambling to Australians. This includes casino-style games and live sports wagering (also known as ‘in-play’ wagering) made available over the internet. A copy of the IGA can be found on the ComLaw website.
I want to make an enquiry
Information about the IGA, as well as information about the Commonwealth Government’s interactive gambling policy, is available from the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (www.dbcde.gov.au).
Legal advice in relation to whether a proposed service, or advertisement, may be prohibited under the IGA should be sought from an independent legal advisor.
The ACMA is responsible for investigating formal complaints made under the IGA about the provision of prohibited internet gambling content. The ACMA can also investigate complaints, under the IGA, about advertisments for interactive gambling services that are broadcast on TV or radio. Enquiries about other forms of interactive gambling advertising, such as online or in print, should be directed to the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.
For enquiries regarding the ACMA role’s under the IGA, please email us at gambling@acma.gov.au or contact us at the address below:
Manager, Broadcasting Standards Section
Australian Communications and Media Authority
PO Box Q500 Queen Victoria Building NSW 1230
TEL: (02) 9334 7700
FAX: (02) 9334 7799
I want to make a complaint
You may complain to the ACMA about prohibited internet gambling content.
To make a complaint about internet content, you must be one of the following:
- an Australian resident; or
- a body corporate that carries on activities in Australia; or
- the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory.
How do I make a complaint?
To lodge a complaint please complete the online complaint form.
Alternatively, you may email your complaint to gambling@acma.gov.au or post/fax your complaint to:
Manager, Broadcasting Standards Section
Australian Communications and Media Authority
PO Box Q500 Queen Victoria Building NSW 1230
TEL: (02) 9334 7700
FAX: (02) 9334 7799
Please note that complaints about prohibited internet gambling content to the ACMA must be made in writing.
To help ensure that the ACMA can investigate your complaint, you must set out:
- the internet address of the internet gambling content and any other details required to access it; and
- a description of the internet gambling service.
What will the ACMA do?
The action taken by the ACMA in relation to prohibited internet gambling content depends on whether the content is hosted in Australia or overseas.
If the complaint is about internet gambling content that is hosted in Australia, the ACMA must not investigate the complaint. Where the ACMA believes that such a complaint should be referred to an Australian police force, ACMA will refer the matter to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
If the complaint is about internet gambling content hosted outside Australia, the ACMA will investigate and if the content is found to be prohibited under the IGA, will notify the content to makers of the approved Family Friendly Filters listed in Schedule 1 to the Interactive Gambling Act Industry code.
The ACMA may also refer a complaint about prohibited internet gambling content to the AFP where the ACMA believes that such a referral is appropriate (eg. the material is hosted in a country of interest to the AFP).
Regardless of the outcome, the ACMA will advise all people who lodge a complaint of the outcome of its investigation.
