Australia’s communications regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), has blocked an additional 12 illegal gambling websites, continuing its ongoing campaign against unlicensed offshore operators targeting Australian consumers. The latest action brings the total number of sites blocked since ACMA first requested internet service providers to restrict access to such platforms in November 2019 to over 1,000.
The ACMA has been actively investigating and referring illegal gambling services to the Australian Federal Police for potential criminal prosecution. The regulator’s enforcement efforts are part of a broader strategy to protect Australians from the harms associated with unregulated online gambling, including lack of consumer protections, potential fraud, and money laundering risks. Offshore operators often circumvent Australian laws by hosting their services in jurisdictions with lax regulations, making it difficult for authorities to take direct legal action against them.
Under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, it is illegal for unlicensed operators to offer real-money online casino games to Australian residents. However, sports betting and lottery products are permitted if the operator holds a valid Australian license. The ACMA works closely with internet service providers to block access to prohibited sites, and the regulator has also been known to issue formal warnings and seek civil penalties against operators that continue to flout the law.
The latest blocklist includes a mix of casino and sports betting sites, though the ACMA did not disclose the specific names of the 12 websites in its announcement. The regulator noted that many of these sites employ sophisticated methods to evade detection, such as frequently changing domain names and using proxy servers. Despite these challenges, the ACMA has maintained a steady pace of blocking requests, with an average of around 100 sites blocked per year since the program began.
Industry observers note that while blocking is an effective tool for reducing the visibility of illegal sites, it is not a complete solution. Many offshore operators continue to attract Australian customers through targeted advertising, affiliate marketing, and word-of-mouth. The ACMA has therefore also focused on disrupting the supply chain of illegal gambling, including taking action against payment processors and affiliates that facilitate access to prohibited services.
The Australian government has been reviewing the Interactive Gambling Act in recent years, with a view to strengthening enforcement powers and closing loopholes that allow offshore operators to exploit the system. In 2023, the government introduced new measures to combat illegal gambling, including increased penalties for operators and a crackdown on credit card use for online gambling. The ACMA’s latest action is consistent with this broader regulatory push.
For licensed operators in Australia, the continued enforcement against illegal sites is a positive development, as it helps level the playing field and ensures that consumers are protected by Australian consumer laws. However, some industry stakeholders have called for more proactive measures, such as mandatory blocking of all unlicensed sites at the ISP level, rather than the current reactive approach that requires the ACMA to identify and request blocks on a case-by-case basis.
As the online gambling landscape evolves, the ACMA is likely to face ongoing challenges in keeping pace with the tactics of illegal operators. The regulator has indicated that it will continue to monitor the market closely and take action where necessary. Consumers are advised to check the ACMA’s register of licensed gambling services before engaging with any online betting or casino platform to ensure they are using a legal and regulated provider.