ACMA blocks 12 illegal sites, outlines 2026–27 compliance plan
Australia has increased its measures against unlawful online gaming. The regulator has asked internet service providers to prohibit access to 12 more gambling and affiliate marketing websites that violate the law. At the same time, it has announced compliance goals for 2026-27, including increased enforcement against unregistered businesses and stricter gaming advertising regulations.
The move follows investigations by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) that found the websites were providing gambling services in violation of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, reinforcing the regulator’s ongoing commitment to protecting Australian consumers from unlicensed operators.
ACMA expands enforcement efforts
The latest enforcement action targets a dozen online gambling platforms and affiliate websites that were found to be operating illegally within Australia. According to the ACMA, internet service providers have now been asked to restrict access to the following websites:
- 7Signs
- Chromabet.org
- Donbet
- Duospin
- Freshbet
- Slots Gem
- Jacks Club
- Lucky Start
- Pointsbetz.com
- Spinrise
- Vinyl Casino
- Wildsino
The regulator noted that two websites, Chromabet.org and Pointsbetz.com, were designed to imitate licensed gambling brands, potentially misleading Australian consumers into believing they were using legitimate, regulated services.
Regulatory concerns grow
One of the key concerns highlighted by the regulator involves websites that closely resemble licensed operators.
The ACMA noted that Chromabet.org imitated the licensed ChromaBet service, whilst Pointsbetz.com looked to replicate the licensed PointsBet platform. Such counterfeit websites can confuse customers, making it impossible to discern between genuine and illicit gambling operations.
By requesting that Australian ISPs block these domains, the regulator aims to reduce consumer exposure to misleading websites that could appear trustworthy.
Enforcement against illegal sites
Website blocking remains one of several enforcement tools available to the ACMA in its efforts to combat illegal online gambling. Since issuing its first blocking request in November 2019, the authority has now successfully requested the blocking of 1,751 illegal gambling and affiliate marketing websites.
The ACMA also highlighted the broader impact of its enforcement strategy beyond website blocking alone. Since introducing stronger enforcement measures under Australia’s illegal online gambling framework in 2017, more than 230 illegal gambling services have withdrawn from the Australian market.
The rising statistics demonstrate the regulator’s sustained scrutiny of the online gambling industry and its willingness to take action when operators violate Australian rules. The increasing number of enforcements demonstrates how the list of blacklisted websites is growing for Australians who are no longer able to access them through their ISPs.
ACMA unveils 2026–27 compliance priorities
The ACMA has also announced its compliance and enforcement priorities for 2026–27, which outline the areas where it believes Australians are most at risk. It states that its priorities have been established, ranging from combating branded SMS fraud and improving emergency call access to implementing changes to casino advertising standards and protecting vulnerable telecommunications consumers.
According to the regulator, the new compliance and enforcement priorities are designed to address sectors where industry compliance is essential for keeping Australians safe and connected.
ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said, “Communications services are at the centre of Australians’ economic and social lives. Consumers expect more from these services than ever before. And they want more help in getting access to services and stronger protections if things go wrong.”
Key compliance priorities
The regulator has identified five major areas that will receive increased compliance and enforcement attention throughout the 2026–27 financial year.
- Disrupting branded SMS scams
- Compliance and enforcement of Triple Zero and public safety requirements
- Equipment regulation for mobile phones
- Enforcing domestic, sexual, and family violence consumer safeguards
- Gambling advertising, implementation of regulatory reforms.
While introducing new annual priorities, the ACMA has also reaffirmed its commitment to three ongoing enforcement areas that continue to present significant risks to the Australian community.
These enduring priorities include:
- Preventing gambling harm
- Combatting spam and telecommunications scams
- Protecting vulnerable telecommunications customers
The regulator described these as long-term priorities reflecting issues that continue to require sustained regulatory oversight beyond any single reporting period.
Maintaining these ongoing initiatives allows the ACMA to continue addressing persistent challenges while responding to emerging risks through its annual compliance programme.
ACMA ruling on gambling ads
The Australian media regulatory agency recently concluded that SBS breached gambling commercial laws when covering the Tour de France live event in July 2025. The ACMA decided that Crown’s commercial was a gambling advertisement during prohibited hours of live sports programming. Gambling commercials can only be shown during pre-match or post-match breaks from 8:30 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The breach was linked to the tagline “premier casino resort,” which highlighted gambling activities rather than just dining or entertainment. ACMA explained that the “dining or entertainment exception” does not apply if an advert draws attention to gambling. Two other Crown adverts that aired during the event were cleared because they focused solely on food and entertainment.
This was the first time ACMA tested the exception in a formal investigation. The regulator warned broadcasters to carefully review wording that could promote gambling, even when adverts primarily highlight hospitality. SBS disagreed with the conclusion but said it remains committed to compliance.
Subscribe HERE to SiGMA’s Top 10 News countdown and SiGMA’s weekly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest iGaming News from the world’s iGaming authority, and benefit from subscriber-only offers.
