Australia’s ACMA warns four operators over unlicenced gambling
Australia’s communications watchdog has issued formal warnings to four companies accused of offering illegal online gambling services to local consumers, in what officials described as a serious breach of national law.
The warnings were reportedly issued to Digibrite S.R.L., the company behind The Pokies, Just Entertainment B.V., the company behind Lucky Ones7, Stellar Ltd., the company behind Spinit, and Hollycorn N.V., the company behind Slot Lounge, according to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
Each of these platforms offered gambling services to Australians without the required licences under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, the regulator claimed. The law bans unlicenced operators from providing services to locals with access to online casinos, slot machines, or live sports betting.
The ACMA stressed that, as these services lack the consumer protections mandated by Australian law, they not only risk the regulated market but also put users at higher risk. It added that repeated non-compliance could prompt additional enforcement steps, including requests for internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to the offending platforms.
Not the first-ever warning
This is not the first time some of the companies have faced regulatory action. In August 2025, Stellar Ltd was warned for providing unlicenced casino services through Spinit. The Authority said that providing unlicenced gambling services is a serious violation, and it would continue monitoring operators to ensure compliance.
While this week’s notices stop short of ordering site blocks, the ACMA pointed out that website blocking remains a central part of its broader compliance approach. Since November 2019, more than 1,000 gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked following ACMA requests.
The regulator also claims that over 220 offshore operators have left the Australian market since 2017. Officials argue that consumer protection is at the heart of this strategy. “Even if a service appears legitimate, it is unlikely to offer the consumer protections required under Australian law,” the Authority said, encouraging Australians to check licencing status before engaging with any wagering service.
Ongoing crackdown against illegal gambling
The ACMA reiterated that its enforcement campaign would continue, warning operators against targeting Australian players without approval. Regulators argue that illegal platforms often encourage harmful betting behaviour, bypass responsible gambling tools, and leave users vulnerable to fraud.
“Providing unlicenced gambling services is a serious breach of Australian law,” the Authority said. “We will continue to take steps to disrupt these services and protect consumers.”
Slowdown in fact-checking
The four warnings announced this week add to a growing list of enforcement actions taken against offshore companies as Australia strengthens its stance against illegal gambling.
In a separate report, ACMA also warned that fact-checking efforts are slowing under the nation’s misinformation code. In its fourth review of the Australian Code of Practice on Disinformation and Misinformation, the regulator highlighted both progress and setbacks in curbing harmful online content. Digital platforms, meanwhile, are refining policies in response to AI advances, with industry-wide standards for labelling and provenance adopted to help users verify the source and authenticity of digital material.
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