The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup took place in the summer of last year in Australia and New Zealand and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has reported on its actions against illegal gambling during the tournament. 

In the lead-up to the Women’s World Cup and during the tournament itself, 200 offshore services were reviewed, with 21 services being investigated. 

Looking closer, three of the services did not break interactive gambling rules, while the other 18 services were found in the investigation to be operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. 

Three of those 18 services withdrew from the Australian market, restricting access to Australian end users. The other 15 services had their websites blocked by internet service providers at the request of the ACMA, after they had been handed formal warnings. 

ACMA authority member and online gambling lead Carolyn Lidgerwood said the sites were not licensed to provide wagering services in Australia, and some had even offered forms of gambling that are banned in Australia, such as online casinos and slots or online in-play betting. 

Lidgerwood stated: “Illegal gambling operations often take advantage of high-profile sporting events to push their services onto fans. 

“These sites also offer none of the consumer protections that apply to licensed wagering services in Australia. Using these sites is more than a gamble as you have no rights and even if you win, you may never see the money." 

Recently, the ACMA has also blocked several other illegal betting sites via a request to Australian internet service providers (ISPs). Among the requested access blocks were Lucky7even, Zota Bet, Casino Infinity and 50 Crowns.