Online gambling sites face blockage by the Australian Communications and Media Authority due to their illegal status.
Let's Talk About the Crackdown on Illegitimate Gambling Sites in Australia
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is putting the pressure on Australian internet service providers (ISPs) to kibosh more unlawful online gambling sites, following investigations that revealed these platforms violating the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
The latest round of blockages includes Casiny, CoinPoker, Crown Play, Fafabet9, SlotFred, Smart 93, and Vigor Spin.
Blocking these websites is just one piece of ACMA's enforcement arsenal to safeguard Australians from shady online gambling. Since the ACMA made its initial blocking request in November 2019, a whopping 1,250 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked. Moreover, around 220 unauthorized gambling services have voluntarily vacated the Australian market since the ACMA intensified its enforcement efforts in 2017.
Website blocking is a key strategies within a broader enforcement strategy. The ACMA also dishes out formal warnings and sanctions against offshore gambling operators. For instance, in early 2025, ACMA served formal warnings to two Curaçao-based operators, Hollycorn N.V. (Neospin) and Dama N.V. (Spirit Casino), for offering unlicensed interactive gambling services to Australian customers.
The ACMA champions consumer protection by maintaining a public register of licensed wagering services and educating consumers about the hazards associated with unlicensed operators, who lack consumer protections and redress options.
In essence, Australian ISPs are actively blocking illegitimate online gambling sites based on ACMA's demands as part of a multifaceted regulatory strategy that combines technical blocks, warnings, sanctions, and consumer education to quash unauthorized gambling services within Australia's borders.
- The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has expanded its regulatory efforts within the banking-and-insurance, finance, and fintech industries, issuing formal warnings to offshore gambling operators for providing unlicensed services that expose Australians to financial risks.
- General news outlets in Australia are reporting a surge in investigations into illicit dealings within the online gambling sector, following a spate of crime-and-justice related incidents linked to unlicensed operators who lack proper consumer protections.
- Amidst the crackdown on illegal gambling sites, the ACMA is intensifying its focus on establishing stronger partnerships with other industries, such as banking-and-insurance, to explore measures that prevent Australians' funds from being funneled into unlawful gambling activities.
