Australia's media regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority, has directed internet service providers to block access to hundreds of illegal offshore gambling websites under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. Since the program launched in November 2019, more than 1,700 gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked, with the regulator continuing to add new sites on a rolling basis. The most recent actions targeted operators, including sites mimicking the branding of legitimate licensed services to deceive Australian players.
Online casinos remain prohibited in Australia regardless of where they are based. The ACMA warns that unlicensed offshore sites offer no consumer protection, no guaranteed payouts and no recourse if accounts are closed without explanation. More than 230 offshore operators have exited the Australian market since enforcement began. The regulatory action forms part of a wider discussion followed across gambling streams, where legal changes and industry developments are closely watched. A full ban on gambling advertising across television, radio and online platforms is also set to take effect from January 2027 under legislation introduced by the Albanese government in April 2026.
