ACMA Adds Nine More Illegal Gambling Websites to National Blocklist

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has issued new blocking directives to internet service providers across the country after identifying another group of unlicensed online gambling and affiliate websites breaching the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. The action forms part of ACMA’s ongoing strategy to curb unlawful offshore gambling activity and limit consumer exposure to platforms operating without regulatory oversight.

Both ACMA’s official notice and industry reporting confirm that the latest investigation resulted in the blocking of nine additional domains. According to the regulator, “the latest sites blocked include: Cashed, King Maker, Posido, Spinight, Spinsy, next2go-au.com (an imitation of the licensed Next2Go service), The Pokies Reviews, Topio Networks, wizbet.app (an imitation of the licensed WizBet service).” These websites were found to be offering gambling services illegally to Australian customers or mimicking legitimate domestic operators.

ACMA has requested internet service providers block an additional nine illegal online gambling and affiliate websites following investigations that found the services operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, listing the same nine domains.

Website blocking remains an established tool in ACMA’s enforcement framework. The regulator notes that “website blocking is one of a range of enforcement options to protect Australians against illegal online gambling.” Since ACMA issued its first blocking request in November 2019, a total of 1,369 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked.

In addition, ACMA states that “around 220 illegal services have also pulled out of the Australian market since the ACMA started enforcing new illegal online gambling rules in 2017.” Industry reporting echoes this figure, noting that “approximately 220 illegal services have voluntarily withdrawn from the Australian market since ACMA began enforcing strengthened online gambling regulations in 2017.”

The long-term trend reflects a broader regulatory effort to deter offshore platforms from targeting Australian players and to prevent imitation sites from misleading consumers by posing as licensed operators.

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ACMA continues to warn Australians about the risks associated with unlicensed online gambling. The regulator states that “even if a service looks legitimate, it’s unlikely to have important customer protections. This means Australians who use illegal gambling services risk losing their money.” Illegal operators fall outside the scope of Australian regulatory protections, leaving users without access to dispute resolution mechanisms.

To assist consumers in verifying whether a wagering service is properly authorised, ACMA maintains a public register. 

ACMA’s latest blocking directive follows recent enforcement activity. The new actions come after formal warnings issued in October to multiple offshore operators, including companies operating from Curaçao, the Netherlands and the Comoros Islands for offering unlicensed services to Australian customers.

The regulator also directs users to further resources, noting that more information on illegal online gambling, consumer protection measures, and complaint procedures is available on its official website.

Source:

, acma.gov.au, November 13, 2024.