ACMA Orders Blocking of Eight Illegal Betting Websites

Key Points

• The Australian Communications and Media Authority has basically told ISPs to block access to eight online gambling sites that have been breaking the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. 
• This latest round of new blocked websites brings the grand total of blocked gambling sites up to 1518 since the blocking regime started back in 2019. Regulatory enforcement has successfully pushed more than 220 operators out of the Australian market over the past seven years.
• Six licensed operators, including industry giant Tabcorp, also faced sanctions for violations of BetStop self-exclusion rules.

Eight gambling websites face immediate blocking across Australia following regulatory action by the Communications and Media Authority. Lucky Mate, Vegastars, Wombet, Cosmobet, Fortune Play, Fortunica, Rolletto and Velobet can no longer reach customers through domestic internet providers. Authorities found out that some offshore operators were breaking the law by offering unlicensed interactive gambling services to people in Australia. The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 is pretty clear on this; it makes it a no-go to offer online casino games and other similar online games to Aussie residents unless you’ve got the proper permission.

Internet service providers have had to step up and block access to these sites; it’s part of a bigger push against illegal gambling. The restrictions serve multiple purposes within the regulatory framework, including limiting offshore operators’ market reach and demonstrating consequences for non-compliance. Website blocking has become the primary weapon in protecting Australian consumers from unauthorised gambling services whilst maintaining the integrity of the regulated market.

Long-Term Crackdown on Illegal Gambling Sites

It all started in November 2019 with the first blocking request, which we can call the first salvo in a broader war against online gambling in Australia. Since then regulators have managed to block access to a whopping 1,518 gambling and affiliate websites. That’s had a pretty big impact on offshore operators. The effort to get tough on this stuff really started to take off in 2017 and since then more than 220 illegal services have either been forced to shut up shop or got out of the market altogether. It just shows that if you keep the pressure on you can get a lot more done than just one big effort.

Many offshore gambling websites present a professional appearance but operate without mandatory consumer protections that licensed Australian operators must maintain. This leaves players vulnerable to losing funds without any avenue for recovery or access to dispute resolution processes. The regulator’s public register allows Australians to confirm whether a wagering service operates legally, and concerned citizens can submit complaints about potentially illegal operators via the regulator’s website.

Gambling Enforcement Reaches New Heights in Late 2025

Enforcement statistics from the year’s final quarter reveal authorities blocked 133 websites while completing investigations into 45 gambling platforms. The 23 concluded investigations exposed violations at every single site examined, underscoring the depth of regulatory challenges facing the sector. Most concerning were the 483 complaints and enquiries flooding in about offshore casino-style services operating beyond regulatory reach.

Domestic operators fared no better when compliance teams turned their attention to BetStop breaches. Six licensed betting companies failed to prevent self-excluded individuals from accessing their wagering platforms. The list included industry heavyweight Tabcorp alongside LightningBet, Betfocus, TempleBet, Picklebet and BetChamps. Enforcement measures ranged from monetary fines to mandated independent audits, with formal warnings issued for these serious lapses in consumer protection.

More on gambling regulation can be found in the regulation section.