LEAKED AUSSIE BAN LIST INCLUDES BETFAIR (Update)

20 March 2009

Betting exchanges chief Downunder reported "outraged"

 

New revelations on the leaked Australian government secret blocked site list at Wikileaks (see previous InfoPowa report) are adding fuel to the fire Downunder, with the online betting exchange group Betfair reportedly on the list of sites which government agency the Australian Communications and Media Authority wants ISPs to block.

According to the publication Computerworld, Betfair CEO in Australia Andrew Twaits is outraged that the respectable multi-billion dollar company has been blacklisted under the government Internet content filters, a move that could cost the company dearly and is almost certain to trigger litigation if true.

Twaits was unaware that Betfair had been blacklisted when contacted by Computerworld, and said there had been no contact with Betfair by the ACMA prior to the blacklisting.

The global Betfair.com site was one of many legitimate sites blocked by the ACMA, including dentists, bus companies and even a tour operator, all without notification or justification.

“We didn't know [about the ban]. We've been licensed to operate in Australia for three years and have never received a complaint or any allegation that Betfair locally or globally is not permitted to be used by Australians," said a disturbed Twaits. “The global Betfair site is used by Australians every day.”

Under the Interactive Gambling Act, it is illegal for overseas companies to offer gambling services to Australians and Betfair blocks local customers from accessing its UK poker and casino products.

Twaits said Betfair is probably the only company in the world that blocks its customers from accessing the overseas gambling services.

“I need to find out what the implications are and how we got on the list,” Twaits said. “I'm amazed that this has happened.”

Wikileaks itself was added to the list March 16 in what is being interpreted as a pre-emptive blocking strike by the ACMA just before the blacklist was made public.

Australian media reports outline some 13 poker Web sites among those blacklisted, including Full Tilt, Poker Stars and Absolute Poker. Among other online gambling sites listed are:

WilliamHillCasino.com
bodoglife.com
ultimatebet.com
cdpoker.com
hollywoodpoker.com
fulltiltpoker.com
pokerstars.com
absolutepoker.com
paradisepoker.com
mansion.com
duplicatepoker.com (this site closed last year)
betfair.com
888.com
coralpoker.com
goldenpalace.com
pacificpoker.com
partypoker.com
pokerroom.com
vegaspalms.com
gamblingclub.com   

Online Casino News Courtesy of Infopowa

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