ACMA Orders ISPs to Block 12 More Illegal Gambling Websites

Latest Blocking Action Targets Offshore Operators

The most recent enforcement action applies to operators including Abu King, BetAlice, Dragon Slots, Nova Jackpot, Power Up Casino, QuickWin, Roby Casino, Rocketspin, Rooster Bet, Vegasino, Vegas Now, and Winbay. Each of these services is based outside Australia and lacks the necessary licensing to offer gambling products within the country.

ACMA requested that ISPs implement blocks at the domain name system level, a method the regulator has deployed consistently since November 2019. Website blocking forms part of several enforcement measures available to the authority as it works to restrict access to offshore gambling services that operate without local oversight or consumer protections.

Cumulative Enforcement Impact

Since ACMA made its first blocking request in November 2019, ISPs across Australia have restricted access to 1,455 illegal gambling and affiliate websites. During this same period, approximately 220 illegal operators have withdrawn from the Australian market entirely since the regulator began enforcing stricter online gambling rules in 2017.

The blocking approach remains part of what ACMA has described as a labor-intensive process of identifying and acting against individual websites. Online casinos remain prohibited in Australia, and lawmakers have shown limited interest in changing the current regulatory framework while continuing to focus enforcement efforts on unlicensed providers targeting Australian consumers.

Consumer Protection Warnings

ACMA has repeatedly cautioned that unlicensed gambling services often lack basic customer protections, even when they appear professional or legitimate. The regulator warns that players who use such platforms may have no practical recourse if disputes arise or accounts are closed without explanation.

As part of its public guidance, ACMA advises consumers to verify whether a wagering service is licensed before using it. The risks extend beyond financial loss, as unlicensed and offshore operators do not fall under Australia’s consumer protection framework and are not bound by harm-reduction measures that apply to regulated providers.

BetStop and Additional Safeguards

Australia has introduced additional safeguards to address gambling-related harm, including the national self-exclusion scheme known as BetStop. The program allows individuals to exclude themselves from regulated gambling websites. However, offshore operators are not subject to this system, and regulators have noted that some actively pursue self-excluded or vulnerable players.

While ACMA continues to rely on DNS blocking as a key enforcement tool, the approach has drawn some criticism. Observers point out that DNS-level restrictions can be bypassed and that some operators reduce the impact by running multiple brands. The regulator has maintained its course, emphasizing the cumulative effect of enforcement actions over time.

Source: Australian Communications and Media Authority