Illegal online casinos face further obstacles as the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) blocks two additional offshore gambling platforms, reinforcing their ongoing crackdown on unauthorized gaming operations.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has been actively enforcing Australia's gambling laws, blocking a total of 1,178 illegal gambling and affiliate websites since November 2019. These sites received similar treatment and were blocked in Australia.

Since assuming responsibility for enforcing Australia's gambling laws, the ACMA has also been wary of the growing underground gaming sector. Online gambling is illegal in Australia, and even the best offshore websites are unlikely to have important consumer protections.

The ACMA's action against these websites was taken because they were found to be operating in breach of Australian law. Notably, two more offshore online casinos, Bet365 and 888 Casino, were blocked between 2022 and 2023.

In addition, the ACMA has taken action against several operators for violating gambling advertising regulations. During the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in March 2024, Ten Network aired a total of four gambling advertisements during a time when such ads are strictly prohibited during sporting events between 5:00 am and 8:30 pm. As a result, the ACMA identified a violation and took action.

In February, the ACMA also took action against eight other offshore operators. These eight operators included JokaRoom, AUDPokies888, Aura Play, Instant Casino, Leon, Rich Papa, UUSpin, and Wild Pokies. The ACMA requested that Australian internet service providers (ISPs) block the operators' domains.

The ACMA has been continuously issuing new blocking requests against online casino operators. In fact, since the ACMA's inception, 220 illegal services have willingly pulled out of the Australian market.

The ACMA's role extends beyond just gambling enforcement. It is responsible for overseeing certain compliance-related matters within Australia, in addition to protecting Australia from offshore competitors.

Notably, Ten Network took necessary measures to prevent such violations from happening again. The ACMA's actions serve as a reminder for all entities operating within the Australian market to adhere to the country's laws and regulations.

A list of all licensed gaming services is available on the ACMA's official website, providing a resource for consumers to ensure they are engaging with legitimate services. The ACMA's efforts to maintain a safe and legal online gambling environment in Australia are ongoing.

Illegal online casinos face further obstacles as the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) blocks two additional offshore gambling platforms, reinforcing their ongoing crackdown on unauthorized gaming operations.