Australia’s media regulator has directed internet service providers to restrict access to another group of illegal online gambling platforms, continuing a multi-year effort to curb offshore operators that target local players without authorization. The Australian Communications and Media Authority took the step after investigations concluded that the websites were operating in violation of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

The most recent action applies to 12 gambling services that investigators found were offering casino-style games or sports betting products to Australians despite lacking the required approvals. The sites added to the blocking list are Abu King, BetAlice, Dragon Slots, Nova Jackpot, Power Up Casino, QuickWin, Roby Casino, Rocketspin, Rooster Bet, Vegasino, Vegas Now, and Winbay. Each of the operators is based outside Australia and therefore cannot legally provide these services within the country.

Expanded use of ISP-level blocking

ACMA asked ISPs to block the websites at the domain name system level, a method the regulator has used repeatedly since late 2019. Website blocking remains one of several enforcement measures available to the authority as it seeks to limit exposure to illegal gambling options. According to the official ACMA press release, the approach aims to reduce access to offshore services that operate without local oversight or consumer safeguards.

Since the first blocking request in November 2019, ISPs across Australia have restricted access to 1,455 illegal gambling and affiliate websites. Alongside those actions, roughly 220 illegal operators have exited the Australian market since the regulator began enforcing stricter online gambling rules in 2017. ACMA has continued to identify and act against individual websites as part of what has been described as a labor-intensive process.

The regulator has acknowledged that online casinos remain prohibited in Australia, and lawmakers have shown little appetite for legalizing them. Despite pressure from parts of the private sector, authorities have kept the current framework in place while focusing on enforcement against unlicensed providers that continue to target Australian consumers.

Consumer protection concerns remain central

ACMA has repeatedly cautioned that unlicensed gambling services often lack basic customer protections, even when they appear credible. The regulator warns that players who use such platforms may have no practical way to recover funds 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 authorized before using it.

The risks extend beyond financial loss. 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. As a result, these platforms may operate without limits designed to support responsible gambling.

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. Offshore operators, however, 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 criticism. Observers point out that DNS-level restrictions can be bypassed and that some operators reduce the impact by running multiple brands. Even so, the regulator has maintained its course, emphasizing the cumulative effect of enforcement actions over time.