Key points:
- ACMA has blocked seven illegal gambling sites for violating Australian law
- Consumers are advised to verify operator licensing via ACMA’s public register
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has announced the latest round of enforcement actions targeting illegal online gambling operators.
Earlier today, the regulator announced it has requested that Australian internet service providers (ISPs) block access to seven gambling websites found to be operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
The blocked sites include Casiny, CoinPoker, Crown Play, Fafabet9, SlotFred, Smart 93 and Vigor Spin.
All of these services were found to be offering prohibited gambling activities without appropriate licensing for the Australian market.
Good to know: Since the first blocking request in 2019, over 1,250 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked, while approximately 220 unlicensed services have voluntarily exited the Australian market since regulatory enforcement ramped up in 2017
ACMA continues to warn Australian consumers that even if a gambling service appears legitimate, unlicensed operators are unlikely to offer basic consumer protections. This exposes users to potential financial losses, with limited recourse.
To support consumer safety, ACMA maintains a register of licensed wagering services, which is accessible on its website. The authority also offers educational resources and channels for reporting suspected illegal operators.
The latest enforcement action comes amid a broader regulatory push by ACMA, which earlier this month issued sanctions against four licensed operators for violating self-exclusion rules under the National Self-Exclusion Register (BetStop).
Other recent actions include formal warnings to offshore operators based in Curaçao.
