A sweeping crackdown on illegal online gambling is underway in Australia, with authorities escalating efforts to shield citizens from risky, unregulated platforms. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has recently demanded internet service providers block access to a dozen more websites offering illicit gambling services.
These newly targeted sites – Abu King, BetAlice, Dragon Slots, Nova Jackpot, Power Up Casino, QuickWin, Roby Casino, Rocketspin, Rooster Bet, Vegasino, Vegas Now, and Winbay – were identified through rigorous investigations as operating in direct violation of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. The ACMA isn’t simply reacting; it’s proactively dismantling a network of illegal operations.
Website blocking is a key weapon in the ACMA’s arsenal, a strategy employed since November 2019. To date, this approach has resulted in the blocking of a staggering 1,455 illegal gambling and affiliate websites, demonstrating a sustained and aggressive campaign against unlawful operators.
The impact extends beyond just blocking access. Since 2017, when the ACMA began enforcing stricter rules, approximately 220 illegal gambling services have voluntarily withdrawn from the Australian market, recognizing the futility of operating against the regulator’s determined stance.
The ACMA isn’t just focused on enforcement; it’s also issuing a stark warning to consumers. These illegal websites often masquerade as legitimate businesses, but lack the crucial customer protections afforded by licensed operators. This leaves Australians vulnerable to significant financial loss.
The risk is real: using these sites means gambling with your money with no guarantee of recourse. The ACMA maintains a publicly accessible online register, allowing individuals to verify whether a wagering service is officially licensed to operate within Australia – a vital tool for informed decision-making.
Just last month, in November, another nine websites faced blocking requests: Cashed, King Maker, Posido, Spinight, Spinsy, next2go-au.com (a deceptive imitation of Next2Go), The Pokies Reviews, Topio Networks, and wizbet.app (another imitation, this time of WizBet). The pattern reveals a sophisticated effort to mimic legitimate services and mislead consumers.
This ongoing effort builds on previous actions, with seven sites blocked in October and five more in September. The ACMA consistently provides updates on these blocking actions, signaling a commitment to transparency and a relentless pursuit of illegal gambling operators within Australia.
