Australian regulator orders ISPs to block four illegal gambling, affiliate marketing websites

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has requested that Australian internet service providers (ISPs) block four more illegal gambling and affiliate marketing websites after investigations found these services to be operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

The latest sites blocked include Casino Australia Online, Pokies.bet, Pokiesman and Smart Pokies.

Website blocking is one of a range of enforcement options to protect Australians against illegal gambling services, states the regulator. This action can be taken if a service is providing prohibited interactive gambling services to customers in Australia such as online casinos, online slot machines, and services that allow in-play online sports betting. 

It can also be enforced if the service is providing an unlicensed regulated interactive gambling service to customers in Australia such as online betting services that don’t have a valid Australian license or publishing ads for prohibited interactive gambling services or unlicensed regulated interactive gambling services in Australia.

Earlier this month, ACMA released its Action on Interactive Gambling report for the second quarter, covering the period from April to June 2024. During the period, ACMA looked into 514 inquiries and complaints, completed 14 investigations into 15 gambling sites, found 17 breaches of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA), issued 15 formal warnings, and blocked 50 websites and 359 URLs.

Since the ACMA made its first blocking request in November 2019, 1,026 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked. Over 220 illegal services have also pulled out of the Australian market since the ACMA started enforcing illegal offshore gambling rules.

The ACMA is reminding consumers that even if a service looks legitimate, it is unlikely to have important consumer protections. "This means our laws can’t help if something goes wrong, like if the service provider withholds winnings," notes ACMA. Australians can check if a wagering service is licensed to operate in Australia on its register.