The Cocos (Keeling) Islands is not the only Australian territory that has been used by online bookmakers and casino operators. Gambling site using Christmas Island address shut down The site accepts bets in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Dogecoin and Etherium. 'The Federal Government must take immediate action to shut down these sites and stop them offering illegal services to Australian customers.'Ī game from the ACT's peak soccer competition was one of many Australian sports available for in-play betting on.

'We are seeing a litany of sites pop up using Cocos (Keeling) Islands domains, which appear to be breaching Australian law,' he said. Independent federal MP and gambling reform advocate Andrew Wilkie wants the sites to be closed. '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.' '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. '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.ĭr Charles Livingstone, a gambling law expert from Monash University, said the sites do appear to have breached the act.

Gambling operators without an Australian licence are also prohibited from taking bets from Australian customers. The IGA prohibits website operators from offering casino-style games and live sports betting to Australian customers. 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).

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