Australia’s communications and media regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), has expanded its enforcement of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 by directing internet service providers to block access to a fresh group of illegal online gambling platforms. The move forms part of a broader, multi‑year effort to protect Australian consumers from unlicensed services that operate without regulatory oversight.
In the latest enforcement action, ACMA requested blocking of eight unlawful websites, including Lucky Mate, Vegastars, Wombet, Cosmobet, Fortune Play, Fortunica, Rolletto, and Velobet, after determining they were offering prohibited online gambling services to Australian users.
Website blocking remains a key enforcement option under the Interactive Gambling Act, used alongside investigations, warnings, and complaint mechanisms to reduce access to offshore operators that target Australian players.
Ensuring Consumer Safety: Why ACMA Blocks Illegal Gambling Sites
Since ACMA’s first website blocking request in November 2019, related enforcement actions have led to the restriction of more than 1,500 illegal gambling and affiliate websites and contributed to over 220 offshore services withdrawing from the Australian market.
The regulator emphasises that even services appearing legitimate may lack essential consumer protections and dispute mechanisms. Australians using illegal gambling sites risk losing funds without regulatory recourse, as these platforms operate outside licensed frameworks designed to ensure fairness and financial safety.
Website blocking sits alongside other compliance tools ACMA can use when operators breach legal requirements on interactive and affiliate services, including issuing infringement notices, remedial directions, and even referring serious matters to police or prosecutors.
Ongoing Enforcement: ACMA’s Efforts to Combat Unlicensed Gambling
Despite repeated blocking efforts, illegal offshore gambling continues to find ways to reach Australian users. Industry and advocacy voices have raised concerns that some services exploit loopholes, use mirror domains, or continue to be promoted on social media platforms, undermining regulatory intent and player protections.
The proliferation of affiliate marketing schemes tied to unlicensed sites, similar to past findings where unlawful operators actively targeted Australian audiences via promotions, underscores the ongoing challenge of enforcement in the digital environment.
Enforcement Beyond Website Blocking
ACMA’s blocking orders come at a time when Australian regulators are also navigating broader compliance and consumer‑protection strategies in the gambling sector. Recent actions include findings that multiple licensed wagering operators breached self‑exclusion (BetStop) rules, a significant component of responsible gambling policy.
Separately, industry regulators such as the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission have published annual plans outlining updated regulatory priorities and compliance expectations for licensed operators.
The sustained blocking program highlights regulators’ prioritisation of consumer protections within interactive gambling markets and aligns with global enforcement efforts aimed at restricting access to unlicensed gambling activity.
How These Moves Impact Australian Players and Gambling Providers
For online players in Australia, the latest blocks serve as a reminder to verify the licensed status of wagering services before engaging with them, particularly any offshore platforms that may operate in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act. Checking the ACMA’s register for authorised services remains a key step.
For operators and affiliates, the increased blocking actions underline the risks associated with breaching interactive gambling laws. Platforms targeting Australian users without valid licensing can expect ongoing regulatory scrutiny, including ISP‑level blocking, formal warnings, and potential civil or criminal penalties where applicable.
As enforcement tools evolve, ACMA’s layered approach, combining blocking, audits, and direct engagement, aims to shrink the footprint of illegal gambling while reinforcing safer, regulated alternatives for Australian consumers.