Since November 2019 the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has asked Australian internet service providers (ISPs) to block websites that offer illegal online gambling. By 21 May 2026 the total had reached 1,708 illegal gambling and affiliate websites, and ACMA referred another 187 sites for blocking in the April–June 2026 quarter.

This page explains the legal basis for blocking, what a block does technically, why the same brand appears under many domains, and what it means for money held in an account on a blocked site.

Legal Basis

ACMA uses section 313 of the Telecommunications Act 1997, which lets government agencies ask carriers and ISPs for reasonable help to disrupt serious criminal or civil offences. ACMA requests a block when a website breaches the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 by:

• providing prohibited interactive gambling services to customers in Australia, such as online casinos, online slot machines and online in-play sports betting;
• providing an unlicensed wagering service, such as a betting site without a valid Australian licence;
• publishing advertisements for either type of service in Australia.

Blocking is one of several tools. The same investigation can also lead to a formal warning, an infringement notice or Federal Court action, as described on our Interactive Gambling Act page.

What a Block Does

A block is applied by the ISP to a specific domain name. It is not applied to your device, your bank or your casino account. In practice:

• A blocked domain fails to load, or the ISP shows a notice page instead of the casino.
• Mobile data and home broadband are both covered when the provider is an Australian ISP that follows the request.
• ACMA also passes blocked URLs to accredited family-friendly filter providers (187 URLs in April–June 2026), so filtering software on a household network blocks them as well.
• A block does not freeze funds, close accounts or cancel pending withdrawals. Those remain under the operator’s control and its terms.

Blocking Figures Published by ACMA

Period	Websites referred for blocking	Other actions reported
November 2019 – 21 May 2026 (cumulative)	1,708	More than 230 illegal services have left the Australian market since 2017
January–March 2026	109	Quarterly report
April–June 2026	187	30 investigations covering 76 sites; 56 breaches; 18 formal warnings

Of the 56 breaches found in April–June 2026, 30 were for providing a prohibited interactive gambling service, 24 for providing an unlicensed wagering service and 2 for advertising. ACMA notes that most blocked sites are casino-style services offering blackjack, roulette, poker and slots.

Why Brands Appear Under Many Domains

The quarterly list contains many numbered variants of the same brand, for example a base domain followed by “-1232”, “5” or “23”. ACMA describes these as alternate sites set up to evade blocks. An offshore casino that loses its domain usually moves players to a new address by email or affiliate link. Each new address is investigated and added separately.

The April–June 2026 list includes mirror domains of brands that are marketed to Australians, including some brands reviewed on BetsAuthority. A review on this site is not a statement that a brand is lawful in Australia; every offshore casino we cover operates without an Australian licence, as explained in offshore casinos and Australian law.

How to Check a Domain

1. Open ACMA’s “Blocked gambling websites” page and the alphabetical list linked from it.
2. Search for the brand name, not only the exact domain, because mirrors use different suffixes.
3. Check the latest quarterly “Action on interactive gambling” report for recent additions.
4. If the domain is listed, treat any new mirror address you receive as part of the same blocked service.

What Happens to Your Balance

If an offshore casino you use is blocked:

• Your account balance is still a debt owed by the operator, not by ACMA or your ISP.
• Contact the operator by email (most list a support address in the terms) and request a withdrawal to the method you deposited with.
• Keep records: screenshots of the balance, transaction IDs and verification documents.
• If the operator refuses, the escalation path is the overseas licensing body or an alternative dispute resolution service, not an Australian regulator. Our guide to filing a gambling complaint sets out each route.

ACMA’s general warning applies here: users of illegal gambling services risk losing their money because Australian consumer protections do not apply.

Bypassing a Block

Using tools to reach a blocked domain is not addressed by an offence in the IGA, but it does not change the operator’s legal status, and many casino terms allow accounts to be closed or winnings voided if a player hides their location. We explain those risks, without instructions, on VPNs and online casinos. A block is also a useful point to reassess: if you are trying to stop gambling, combine it with blocking software listed on our gambling blocking software page.

Complaining About a Block

If you believe a site was blocked in error, ACMA accepts complaints through its online form and its Customer Service Centre on 1300 850 115 (9am to 5pm AEST, working days). You can remain anonymous. To report an illegal site that is not yet blocked, use the same interactive gambling complaint form.

Official source: ACMA blocked gambling websites.

This guide is part of our online gambling in Australia section, which covers the law, licences, complaints and player protections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gambling is for adults 18+ only. If gambling is causing you harm, call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858.