Role of ACMA and other supervisors in responsible play

Introduction

In Australia, the supervision of licensed gambling operators is distributed between federal and state authorities. Their goal is to ensure that all Responsible Play (RG) tools are implemented and adhered to, protect players from abuse, and prevent money laundering. Below are the specific functions and mechanisms of control of each of the key bodies.

1. ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority)

Regulation of advertising

• Approves the "Controlled Gambling Marketing Code" - the norms for placing advertisements of casinos and bookmakers on the air and on the Internet.

• Makes sure every ad has risk alerts and links to support services.

Online content control

• Blocks unlicensed sites at the request of law enforcement officers.

• Checks operator sites for compliance with RG information requirements.

Sanctions

• Fines of up to tens of thousands of dollars for violating advertising rules.

• Requiring illegal content to be removed within a set timeframe.

2. AUSTRAC (Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre)

Monitoring of financial flows

• Mandatory operator report on suspicious transactions and large deposits (> AUD 10,000).

• Analysis of gambling MCC code transactions to prevent money laundering.

KYC/AML Requirements

• Identity verification at registration.

• Revalidation for large amounts or data changes.

Sanctions and suspension of operations

• Freezing accounts for suspected financial crimes.

• Fines and criminal investigations in case of serious violations.

3. Full-time gambling commissions

Bodies	Main functions
Victoria Gambling & Casino Control Commission	Licensing, inspections of land and online casinos, verification of RG tools
NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority	Issuance of licenses, audit of auto-gate logs, self-diagnostics, personnel check
Queensland OLGR	Limit control, analysis of user reports, handling of player complaints
Other states and territories	Similar functions: licensing, audit, sanctions for the admission of minors

Inspections

• Scheduled software checks, reality check logs and self-exclusion.

• Unscheduled visits due to player complaints or AUSTRAC/ACMA signals.

Operator reporting

• Quarterly reports on the number of RG measures applied, self-excluded persons and interventions.

Sanctions

• Warnings, temporary license suspensions, juvenile fines and tool malfunction.

4. Interaction of regulators

Data exchange

• AUSTRAC communicates information about financial anomalies to ACMA and staff commissions.

• ACMA informs AUSTRAC and the states of unlicensed sites and advertising violations.

Cross-audits

• Joint compliance reviews of operators

• Participation of representatives of all bodies in major investigations.

Conclusion

ACMA, AUSTRAC, and state gambling commissions form a tiered oversight mechanism, from advertising control and child protection to financial flow analysis and RG instrument audits. Their joint work ensures that casinos and bookmakers in Australia comply with everything necessary for responsible and legal play.