ACMA Blocks 12 More Unlicensed Gambling Sites Amidst Growing Enforcement Challenges
2026-06-26
Source: iGaming Business
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has ordered ISPs to block 12 more unlicensed gambling and affiliate marketing websites, bringing its total to 1,751 blocked sites since November 2019. This action, part of an ongoing campaign against illicit operations, highlights the significant financial losses Australians incur from unregulated gambling and the growing challenges posed by offshore operators utilizing social media and new advertising restrictions.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has once again taken action against illegal online gambling, directing internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to an additional 12 unlicensed gambling and affiliate marketing websites. This move underscores the regulator's ongoing commitment to curbing unauthorized operations within the Australian market.
The latest directive targets a range of platforms, including 7Signs, ChromaBet, Donbet, Duospin, Freshbet, Slots Gem, Jacks Club, Lucky Start, Pointsbetz.com, Spinrise, Vinyl Casino, and Wildsino. Of particular note is Pointsbetz.com, which ACMA identified as deliberately imitating the branding of the legitimate, licensed PointsBet service—a tactic often employed by illicit operators to mislead consumers.
This enforcement action is part of ACMA's broader campaign to uphold the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. Since November 2019, the authority reports having blocked an impressive 1,751 illegal gambling and affiliate marketing websites. Furthermore, the regulator's efforts, which began in 2017, have led to over 230 unlicensed gambling services withdrawing from the Australian market.
ACMA consistently emphasizes that these unregulated sites, despite sometimes appearing legitimate, fundamentally lack essential consumer protections. This exposes bettors to significant risks, including potential financial losses and a complete absence of recourse in the event of disputes, contrasting sharply with the safeguards provided by licensed operators.
Despite the assertive use of network-level blocking, the authority acknowledges the inherent limitations of this approach. Illegal operators frequently re-establish themselves under new domain names and are increasingly adept at reaching Australian players through alternative channels such as social media, affiliate content, and streaming platforms like Kick and TikTok, where casino-branded influencer content can proliferate outside traditional regulatory frameworks.
The financial impact of these illegal operations on Australian consumers is substantial. According to a 2025 report from H2 Gambling Capital, commissioned by Responsible Wagering Australia, Australians are estimated to lose approximately AU$3.9 billion ($2.7 billion USD) annually to unregulated sites. This significant outflow highlights a concerning decline in channelisation to licensed platforms, which has fallen from 74% in 2021 to 64% today.
The regulatory landscape is poised for further complexity with the Albanese government's upcoming advertising restrictions, announced in April 2026 and set to be implemented in January 2027. These measures, which will impose caps, bans, and limitations on gambling advertisements across various media, risk diminishing one of the few remaining structural advantages licensed operators hold over their offshore counterparts. This evolving environment places increased scrutiny and pressure on compliance teams, payment service providers, and media partners to thoroughly vet any promotion or association with offshore gambling offers.