Internet Service Providers Ordered By AMCA To Block Six Illegal Gambling Sites

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has directed internet service providers to block six additional illegal gambling websites after finding they were operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

Play Jonny, ACO96, TCL99, Waboom77, Wonaco and WooSpin are the latest sites added to the blocking list. This move is part of the regulator’s ongoing enforcement against unauthorised offshore operators targeting Australians.

In an official statement, the regulator said: “The ACMA has requested that Australian internet service providers (ISPs) block more illegal online gambling sites, after investigations found these services to be operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.”

Since launching its blocking programme in November 2019, the ACMA has restricted access to 1,708 illegal gambling and affiliate websites. It also confirmed that more than 230 operators have exited the Australian market following stricter enforcement measures introduced in 2017.

Consumer protection remains central to enforcement

The ACMA frames its enforcement activity around consumer protection. It warned that illegal gambling websites often operate outside Australian safeguards, even when they appear legitimate.

“The ACMA is reminding consumers that even if a service looks legitimate, it’s unlikely to have important customer protections,” the authority stated.

“This means Australians who use illegal gambling services risk losing their money.”

The regulator urged consumers to verify whether operators are licensed by consulting its official register. It also provides guidance on identifying illegal services and submitting complaints.

Under Australian law, online casino-style products such as slot machines and in-play casino games cannot be offered without specific approval. Licensed wagering operators are permitted to provide betting services, but offshore platforms offering similar products fall outside regulatory oversight.

The ACMA has repeatedly highlighted risks linked to unlicensed operators, including weak data protection, limited dispute resolution and no assurance that winnings will be paid.

Website blocking expands alongside wider enforcement efforts

Website blocking remains one of the regulator’s primary enforcement tools. The ACMA works with telecommunications providers to restrict access to domains operating illegally.

Earlier in 2026, the regulator ordered the blocking of eight additional platforms, including Lucky Mate, Vegastars, Wombet, Cosmobet, Fortune Play, Fortunica, Rolletto and Velobet. These sites were found to be offering unlicensed casino-style services to Australian users.

The ACMA has also expanded its focus to affiliate networks and marketing channels directing traffic to illegal operators. This approach targets the infrastructure supporting unlicensed gambling activity.

The regulator said these actions were components of a sustained programme to limit the reach of offshore operators within the Australian market.

Compliance scrutiny extends to licensed operators

Enforcement activity has also covered licensed operators. Entain Group Pty Ltd recently entered into a court-enforceable undertaking following an investigation into breaches of the BetStop self-exclusion system.

The ACMA found that the company opened accounts for self-excluded users and failed to close existing accounts, identifying more than 500 breaches. ACMA member Carolyn Lidgerwood said: “When someone signs up to BetStop, wagering companies must close all of that person’s accounts held within their services.”

“In this case, Entain’s systems did not adequately identify and link all wagering accounts held by those customers across its services, including one account that remained open for more than a year after the customer had self-excluded.”

The regulator also found instances where users were able to open new accounts despite being registered with BetStop. “When people register for self-exclusion there should be no way for them to open new accounts for licensed wagering services in Australia,” Lidgerwood added.

Separately, Tabcorp Holdings was penalised after accepting 426 illegal in-play bets across tennis matches between February 2024 and June 2025. The operator was ordered to pay AUD158,400.

“The law is clear and wagering services must have processes in place to prevent illegal in-play bets from being accepted,” Lidgerwood said. “While we understand that most wagering operators rely on third-party providers to close betting on sporting events, they cannot outsource their legal responsibilities.”

Tabcorp attributed the issue to system and communication failures involving a third-party provider and later voided the bets, refunding affected customers.

Internet service providers in Australia must act under orders from the AMCA to block six new sites found in breach of 2001’s Interactive Gaming Act. This reinforces the authority’s stance to protect consumers from illegal platforms. There were also sanctions for top brands like Entain and Tabcorp around self-exclusion breaches and illegal in-play bets, respectively.