Australia’s communications regulator has issued a series of formal warnings to offshore gambling operators found to be illegally targeting Australian customers. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) confirmed that several companies were offering casino and betting services without holding the required Australian licences, in direct breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
Offshore operators under scrutiny
Throughout September, ACMA investigated multiple offshore gambling websites that provided services to Australian users despite being unlicensed. The findings led to formal warnings being issued in October to operators based in jurisdictions such as Curaçao, the Netherlands, and the Comoros Islands.
One of the most notable cases involved Hollycorn N.V., the operator behind Crown Gold Casino. According to ACMA, the company had been offering prohibited casino-style games to customers physically located in Australia. The regulator found that this activity violated subsection 15(2A) of the Interactive Gambling Act, which prohibits the provision of interactive gambling services to Australians through an internet carriage service unless appropriately licensed.
Multiple violations identified
NovaForge Ltd, the operator of Playzilla and Spins of Glory, was also found to have breached several sections of the Act. The company offered both casino-style games and in-play betting services without any Australian state or territory licence. In-play betting, where bets are placed during an ongoing event, is specifically banned under Australian law for online services.
Similarly, LBC Enterprises, which operates LuckyBet, received a warning for providing unlicensed casino games and betting services, including in-play betting options that are prohibited in the country. The regulator said that these offerings directly violated Australian gambling laws designed to protect consumers from unregulated platforms.
Other operators included in ACMA’s enforcement notice were Ridley Media, the company behind Joe Fortune, and Stellar Ltd, which operates Malina Casino from the Union of Comoros. Both entities were found to have offered gambling services to Australians without the proper authorisation required under national regulations.
Reinforcing compliance and consumer protection
According to the ACMA, these cautions are a part of its ongoing efforts to ensure that Australia’s gaming rules are followed. Any provider of interactive gambling services to Australian players must possess a current licensing from an Australian state or territory regulator, according to the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
Furthermore, regardless of a provider’s regulatory status elsewhere, several forms of internet gambling, like casino-style games, are still forbidden. According to the regulator, these notifications act as a last warning before more severe enforcement actions, such as potential civil penalties and website blocking orders, are implemented.
In October, Australia’s communications watchdog issued formal warnings to other four companies accused of offering illegal online gambling services to local consumers, in what officials described as a serious breach of national law.
ACMA’s stronger enforcement measures
In recent years, ACMA has increased its efforts to curb illegal offshore gambling activity. Since 2017, the regulator has requested Australian internet service providers to block access to hundreds of unlicensed gambling websites. This measure is aimed at reducing consumer exposure to unsafe and unregulated operators that often lack responsible gambling protections.
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