Australia Reaches 1,850 Blocked Illegal Gambling Websites
Australia – 13 November 2026 – www.zonadeazar.com The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has announced further enforcement action against illegal online gambling, bringing the total number of gambling and affiliate websites blocked since November 2019 to 1,850.
The latest intervention, announced on 12 November 2026, targets three additional platforms found to be operating in breach of Australian legislation.
The action coincides with the inaugural Illegal Gambling Awareness Week, an international initiative aimed at strengthening consumer protection.
Three Additional Platforms Targeted
Following investigations, ACMA requested that Australian internet service providers block access to three websites:
- Gday77.
- SpinBet.
- X4Bet.
The regulator determined that these services breached the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, which governs and restricts certain online gambling activities in Australia.
Website blocking is one of the enforcement measures available to authorities seeking to prevent unauthorised services from reaching Australian consumers.
More Than 1,850 Websites Blocked Since 2019
Australia began using website blocking as an enforcement mechanism in November 2019.
Since then, the number of targeted websites has increased steadily.
Key milestones include:
- November 2019: website blocking programme begins.
- April 2026: 1,640 websites blocked.
- July 2026: 1,774 websites.
- September 2026: 1,822 websites.
- November 2026: 1,850 websites.
The figures include illegal gambling platforms and affiliate marketing websites promoting unauthorised services.
The increase reflects continued regulatory enforcement against operators attempting to attract Australian customers.
More Than 230 Operators Withdraw From Australia
Alongside website blocking, ACMA reported that more than 230 illegal gambling services have withdrawn from the Australian market since 2017.
That year marked the beginning of stronger enforcement of the country’s online gambling rules.
The withdrawal of operators represents another outcome of regulatory action, although it does not necessarily mean those platforms have ceased operating in other jurisdictions.
The authority continues investigating services offering prohibited gambling products to Australian consumers.
Consumer Funds and Personal Information at Risk
ACMA warned that illegal gambling websites can appear legitimate while lacking the safeguards required of licensed operators.
The principal risks include:
- Loss of funds: difficulties recovering deposits or receiving winnings.
- Identity fraud: potential misuse of personal identification documents.
- Financial security: exposure of banking information and payment details.
- Limited consumer protection: absence of regulatory mechanisms for resolving complaints.
The authority encouraged consumers to verify a platform’s licensing status before registering or depositing money.
International Illegal Gambling Awareness Week
The latest intervention coincides with the first Illegal Gambling Awareness Week, organised by the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR).
The campaign aims to inform consumers about the risks of unlicensed gambling and encourage the use of regulated services.
ACMA is participating by sharing information about illegal operators and resources for checking gambling licences.
International cooperation is particularly important because many unauthorised platforms operate from overseas jurisdictions.
Australia Strengthens Its Regulatory Framework
Website blocking forms part of Australia’s broader strategy to strengthen online gambling supervision.
In August 2026, the Australian Parliament approved reforms introducing tighter advertising restrictions, additional controls on promotional inducements and stronger measures against illegal gambling services.
The provisions will commence on 1 January 2027.
ACMA will be responsible for monitoring and enforcing several of the new requirements.
The reform also includes measures designed to strengthen BetStop, Australia’s national self-exclusion register.
Industry Impact and Next Steps
The continued blocking of illegal websites confirms Australia’s regulatory focus on preventing unauthorised gambling and protecting consumers.
For licensed operators, these measures aim to reduce competition from platforms that do not comply with domestic regulatory obligations.
However, domain blocking alone cannot guarantee the permanent elimination of illegal services, as some operators may attempt to return through alternative websites.
With 1,850 websites blocked and more than 230 illegal services withdrawn from the market since 2017, Australia is strengthening its digital enforcement strategy while preparing additional regulatory measures for 2027.
Editó: @fonta
