The Australian Communications and Media Authority has directed internet service providers to restrict access to twelve unlicensed gambling and affiliate websites. The enforcement action targets offshore operators violating the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
The newly blocked platforms include 7Signs, ChromaBet, Donbet, Duospin, Freshbet, Slots Gem, Jacks Club, Lucky Start, Pointsbetz.com, Spinrise, Vinyl Casino, and Wildsino. Regulators highlighted Pointsbetz.com for replicating the visual identity of the licensed PointsBet service, a strategy used by unauthorized operators to attract Australian players.
The authority notes that unlicensed platforms often lack standard consumer safeguards, leaving participants exposed to financial disputes.
Market Impact and Regulatory Limits
According to a 2025 report by H2 Gambling Capital, Australian players lose approximately AU$3.9 billion ($2.7 billion) annually to unauthorized gambling sites. The share of wagering directed toward licensed operators has declined from 74% in 2021 to 64%. Network-level blocking faces structural constraints, as operators frequently migrate to new domains and promote their services through social media, affiliate networks, and streaming platforms like Kick and TikTok.
The regulatory environment will shift further when the Albanese government implements new advertising restrictions in January 2027, introducing caps and placement limits across television, radio, and digital channels.
This directive continues a long-standing regulatory campaign. Since November 2019, ACMA has blocked 1,751 illegal gambling and affiliate sites, while 230 unlicensed services have left the Australian market since 2017. Earlier this year, the authority ordered the blocking of eight additional platforms, including Lucky Mate, Vegastars, Wombet, Cosmobet, Fortune Play, Fortunica, Rolletto, and Velobet, raising the cumulative total to 1,518 restricted sites at that time.