Australia’s communications regulator has ordered internet service providers to block eight more offshore gambling websites, adding to a blacklist that now covers more than 1,500 illegal gambling and affiliate domains.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority said the latest targets were Lucky Mate, Vegastars, Wombet, Cosmobet, Fortune Play, Fortunica, Rolletto, and Velobet, which it said were offering gambling services illegally to people in Australia.
Eight more sites added to the blocking programme
ACMA’s blocking requests are aimed at offshore brands that operate without the approvals required to offer online gambling services to Australians. The regulator said the eight sites were accessible to Australian consumers despite being unlicensed.
This latest round follows the same pattern as previous actions. ACMA identifies offshore services it believes breach the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, then asks Australian ISPs to block access to those domains. The regulator has used the approach repeatedly since it began issuing blocking requests in late 2019.
The tally has passed 1,500 blocked gambling and affiliate domains
ACMA’s latest update puts the blocking total at more than 1,500 illegal gambling and affiliate websites since the first ISP requests were made in November 2019. The regulator has also said more than 220 illegal services have withdrawn from the Australian market since it began enforcing updated offshore gambling rules in 2017.
Those numbers show the programme is no longer a one-off response to major offshore brands. It is a standing enforcement tool that is used routinely, often in small batches, as new sites are identified and existing ones try to reappear under fresh domains.
Why Australia focuses on access blocks instead of offshore prosecutions
Australia’s approach is built around the reality that many offshore operators are based in jurisdictions that are difficult to reach through Australian courts or regulators. Blocking works differently. It uses local infrastructure to cut access at the point most consumers actually experience a gambling product, which is the website itself.
For regulators, that makes the action practical. The objective is not to chase an operator across borders. It is to reduce visibility and usage inside Australia. Blocking can disrupt marketing funnels, weaken brand recognition, and make it harder for offshore sites to convert casual traffic into depositing players.
What blocking does, and what it does not do
ISP blocking is not a complete solution. Many offshore sites cycle through new domains, set up mirror sites, or shift traffic through affiliate networks that adapt quickly. Some users can also bypass blocks using VPNs or alternative access methods.
But the system is designed to add friction. For the average consumer, especially someone who is not actively seeking offshore options, a blocked site can be enough to stop a session from turning into a deposit. That is why ACMA continues to use blocking as a default action, rather than waiting for a larger enforcement event.
The consumer protection message behind the enforcement
ACMA consistently frames these actions as a consumer protection measure. The regulator warns that unlicensed offshore gambling sites do not provide the safeguards that exist in the regulated system, including dispute pathways and protections around player funds and data.
The message also has a market effect. Removing offshore options reduces leakage away from licensed Australian wagering operators. It reinforces the licensing perimeter and increases the cost of doing business for offshore brands that rely on Australian traffic and local marketing channels.
What the latest round signals for affiliates and suppliers
The blocking programme is not limited to casino-style sites. ACMA’s count includes affiliate domains as well, which matters for the marketing ecosystem that often sits between offshore operators and Australian consumers.
For affiliates and suppliers, the direction is straightforward. If a business depends on offshore gambling traffic from Australia, the compliance risk is not theoretical. Domains can be blocked, funnel sites can be disrupted, and brands can be forced to keep rotating URLs to stay visible. That churn makes the market less stable for anyone operating outside the licensing framework.
ACMA Strikes again
ACMA’s decision to block eight more offshore gambling sites pushes its blacklist beyond 1,500 domains and underlines how routine ISP blocking has become in Australia. The strategy will not eliminate offshore gambling, but it continues to raise the friction for unlicensed brands trying to reach Australian consumers.
