Compliance Report: Australian Regulator’s Q4/24 Findings on Illegal Online Gambling Operations Around Softswiss and Others!

Charlene Lensburg
Thu, 16 Jan 2025 11:28:38 +0000
ACMA, Illegal gambling, Dama, Ivan Montik, Paata Gamgonashvili, Rabidi, Roland Isaev, Softswiss

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has continued its crackdown on illegal online gambling websites, focusing on operators violating the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. This report analyzes the regulator's recent actions in the context of known illegal casino schemes, particularly those associated with Dama N.V. and Softswiss.

Overview

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has continued its crackdown on illegal online gambling websites, focusing on operators violating the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. The regulator reported 75 websites to internet service providers for blocking. This report analyzes the regulator’s recent actions in the context of known illegal casino schemes, particularly those associated with Dama N.V. and Softswiss.

Key Findings

1. Ongoing Enforcement: ACMA has been actively blocking illegal gambling websites, with 1,059 sites blocked since November 2019. In the recently published ACMA report, Dama N.V. and its numerous illegal online casinos are mentioned many times.

2. Recent Actions: In the period from October to December 2024, ACMA issued blocking orders for several gambling websites operating illegally in Australia.

3. Regulatory Framework: The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 prohibits unlicensed online casino-style games, including pokies and table games, for Australian customers.

4. Impact on Operators: Over 220 illegal services have withdrawn from the Australian market since ACMA began enforcing new rules in 2017.

Context of Rabidi and Softswiss

While not explicitly mentioned in the ACMA report, it’s crucial to note the connection to known illegal operators:

Read more about our reports on Rabidi here.

1. Rabidi N.V.: This collapsed Curacao-based operator was part of a network of illegal online casinos. Its operations mirror those currently targeted by ACMA.

2. Dama N.V.: Another Curacao-based operator within the Softswiss group, likely operating in a similar illegal manner to Rabidi.

3. Softswiss Group: FinTelegram has previously exposed the ultimate beneficial owners behind Softswiss and its illegal gambling schemes:

Ivan Montik (Belarusian-born)

Roland Isaev (Russian)

Paata Gamgoneishvili (Russian)

Read our reports on the Softswiss Group here.

Implications

1. Regulatory Pressure: ACMA’s actions demonstrate increasing pressure on illegal operators, potentially affecting entities like Dama N.V. and others in the Softswiss network.

2. Consumer Protection: The blocking of these websites aims to protect Australian consumers from unregulated and potentially harmful gambling services.

3. Market Withdrawal: The significant number of operators leaving the Australian market suggests that regulatory actions are having a tangible impact.

Conclusion

ACMA’s ongoing efforts to combat illegal online gambling align with global trends in regulatory enforcement. The actions taken against various operators highlight the risks associated with entities like Dama N.V. and the broader Softswiss group. As regulatory scrutiny intensifies, operators connected to known illegal schemes face increased challenges in maintaining their presence in regulated markets like Australia.

Report Illegal Casino Activities

FinTelegram is calling on insiders and victims to come forward and report activities related to illegal casinos, gambling operations, and associated money laundering schemes. This appeal aims to combat financial crime and protect consumers in the online gambling industry.

Reporting Illegal Gambling Activities

If you have information about:

Unlicensed online casinos

Fraudulent gambling schemes

Money laundering through gambling platforms

Other illegal activities in the gambling sector

You are encouraged to contact FinTelegram and share your knowledge.

Report Illegal Casino Activities to FinTelegram