The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has recently taken new action, ordering domestic internet service providers to block an additional 12 illegal gambling websites. These overseas platforms have crossed regulatory red lines by offering casino games or sports betting services to local players without approval.
A new round of blocking lists is out, with foreign operations as a common point
The 12 services listed in this block include Abu King, BetAlice, Roby Casino, etc. Investigations have found that they have not obtained the necessary permits to operate in Australia. A key common point is that all these operators have servers located outside of Australia, so legally, they cannot provide these services domestically. Since first using this method at the end of 2019, ACMA has cumulatively requested the blocking of up to 1,455 illegal gambling and related websites.
Years of enforcement show effectiveness, but the process is "labor-intensive"
In addition to blocking websites, continuous enforcement pressure has also prompted a large number of illegal operators to exit. According to statistics, since ACMA began tightening online gambling rules in 2017, about 220 illegal operators have chosen to leave the Australian market. However, the regulatory agency also admits that identifying and combating these individual sites is a "labor-intensive" process that requires ongoing investment. To learn about similar regulatory dynamics and compliance information around the world, you can follow the updates on the PASA official website.
Consumers face dual risks: neither funds nor protection are guaranteed
ACMA repeatedly warns that unlicensed gambling services often lack basic customer protection measures. This means that if players encounter disputes on these platforms, or if their accounts are closed without reason, they may have "no recourse," and funds may be difficult to recover. More worryingly, these overseas platforms are not subject to the Australian consumer protection framework, nor do they have to comply with a series of harm minimization measures for licensed operators, such as betting limits and cooling-off periods. Think about it, even the national self-exclusion plan "BetStop" can't manage them, and some unscrupulous operators even actively recruit those vulnerable players who have already self-excluded.
The controversial DNS blocking is still a key tool
Despite some criticism—for example, tech enthusiasts point out that DNS-level blocking can be bypassed, and some operators also evade impact by operating multiple brands—ACMA still insists on using website blocking as a key enforcement tool. They believe that in the long run, these continuous actions will have a cumulative effect, effectively reducing the chances of Australian people accessing illegal gambling options. Currently, the domestic call for the legalization of online casinos in Australia is still not high, and the regulatory focus remains on cracking down on unlicensed operators.
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