ACMA Steps Up Enforcement Action
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has announced the blocking of 47 additional offshore gambling websites in March 2026, bringing the total number of blocked sites to over 1,100 since its enforcement programme began. The authority described this month's action as one of its largest single-month enforcement rounds to date.
The blocked sites were identified through a combination of ACMA's ongoing surveillance programme, complaints from Australian punters, and intelligence shared by international regulatory partners. Many of the targeted sites were specifically marketing to Australian players with localised content and AUD payment options despite holding no Australian licence.
How Website Blocking Works in Australia
Under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, it is illegal for offshore operators to offer real-money gambling services to Australians without proper authorisation. When ACMA identifies an illegal site, it issues a blocking notice to Australian internet service providers, who are legally required to prevent access to the specified domains.
ACMA has also strengthened its approach to domain hopping — the practice where blocked operators quickly relaunch under new domain names. The authority now uses pattern-matching technology to identify and block successor sites within days rather than weeks, significantly reducing the window of exposure for Australian punters.
Impact on Australian Punters
For Australian punters, the crackdown means a shrinking pool of accessible offshore sites. While some players view this as restrictive, consumer protection advocates argue that the enforcement action protects Australians from unregulated operators that offer no recourse in disputes and may not adhere to responsible gambling standards.
ACMA has emphasized that its enforcement is not aimed at punishing players but at cutting off the supply of illegal gambling services. No Australian has been prosecuted for using an offshore gambling site — the legal liability rests entirely with the operators.
What Comes Next
ACMA has signalled that it will continue to accelerate its enforcement programme throughout 2026, with a particular focus on operators that offer online pokies and casino table games — product categories that are not legally available from domestic Australian operators.
The authority is also working with payment processors and financial institutions to disrupt the payment channels used by illegal offshore sites, adding another layer to its enforcement strategy. Industry observers expect this financial disruption approach to be more effective than website blocking alone in the long term.
