Sports

Online betting sites using Cocos Islands web addresses investigated over possible breach

Related Story: Central American bitcoin sports betting site 'pretending' to be Australian in ACMA's sights

Australia's media watchdog says it is looking into the legality of a number of offshore gambling websites using Australian web addresses.

The ABC is aware of several offshore betting sites using web addresses from the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, an external Australian territory situated in the Indian Ocean.

Despite being under Australian control, the islands have their own internet country code: .cc.

Visitors to the sites are offered a mix of casino gaming and live sports betting, including Australian competitions like Super Netball, Big V basketball and Capital Territory soccer.

At least three sites offer punters the chance to use Bitcoin.

The actual location of these gambling operations can be tracked to eastern Europe, the Caribbean and elsewhere. They are not based on the islands.

A screenshot of the the online sports betting site inBet.

After being contacted by the ABC, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) said it was trying to determine if these sites were in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act (IGA).

The IGA prohibits website operators from offering casino-style games and live sports betting to Australian customers.

Gambling operators without an Australian licence are also prohibited from taking bets from Australian customers.

"When deciding if a site should be investigated, the ACMA considers a number of factors, including whether the service being provided may be a prohibited or unlicensed service … and whether it may have an Australian-customer link," an ACMA spokesman said.

Dr Charles Livingstone, a gambling law expert from Monash University, said the sites do appear to have breached the act.

"The avowed purpose of the IGA is to protect Australians from less well-regulated gambling sites, and to prohibit non-wagering gambling being available online," he said.

"Using a web address of an Australian territory to offer online gambling services is an offence, unless the provider is registered in an Australian jurisdiction."

A screen shot of PlanetOfBets online betting page.

Independent federal MP and gambling reform advocate Andrew Wilkie wants the sites to be closed.

"We are seeing a litany of sites pop up using Cocos (Keeling) Islands domains, which appear to be breaching Australian law," he said.

"The Federal Government must take immediate action to shut down these sites and stop them offering illegal services to Australian customers."

A game from the ACT's peak soccer competition was one of many Australian sports available for in-play betting on planetofbets.cc.

The site accepts bets in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Dogecoin and Etherium.

Gambling site using Christmas Island address shut down

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands is not the only Australian territory that has been used by online bookmakers and casino operators.

JustBet, a Bitcoin gambling site registered with the Christmas Island Domain Authority, but based in Central America, was investigated by ACMA earlier this year.

Following ACMA's inquiries, the site reopened with a Colombian URL — finishing in .co — and no longer accepts bets from Australian customers.

Dr Livingstone said this is likely to be the first time that ACMA's inquiries have led to an illegal betting site changing its operations.

A screenshot of the Justbet sports betting website which says 'Website Access Geo-Restricted'.

However, ACMA has only limited capacity to act against illegal betting sites.

As it does not regulate the internet domain registries that oversee the allocation of web addresses, ACMA must "seek to work co-operatively" with them, a spokesman said.

"[They] may be able to assist us in our investigation or enforcement activities, and can play a role in raising awareness of Australian interactive gambling laws with gambling operators."

Verisign, the American company which manages the registry for .cc sites, says it works with authorities "when informed that domain names … we are operating are allegedly involved in illegal activities".

"When we are presented with an order from a court from a competent jurisdiction impacting domain names within our registries, we take the specified action within our technical capabilities."

A number of the sites being looked at by ACMA have been approached for comment.

Original Article

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