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The news landed quietly, but the impact was loud. Another nine gambling sites disappeared from Australia’s internet this week, cut off as part of a growing push to protect local players from unlicensed operators.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) confirmed it has instructed internet service providers to block a fresh group of illegal gambling and affiliate websites. Investigators found all nine were offering services that broke the rules set under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
Among the sites added to the blocklist were Cashed, King Maker, Posido, Spinight, Spinsy, The Pokies Reviews and Topio Networks. The ACMA also shut down two imitation platforms, next2go-au.com and wizbet.app, which were posing as licensed Australian operators Next2Go and WizBet.
A steady, growing crackdown
This is part of a long-running effort that has been building for years.
Since the first blocking request in 2019, 1,369 illegal gambling and affiliate sites have been blocked across the country. Another 220 services chose to leave Australia voluntarily when ACMA began tightening enforcement in 2017.
Each move is designed to protect players. ACMA says illegal sites often look polished and trustworthy, yet offer no consumer safeguards. No regulation. No dispute systems. No accountability. A player who loses money has nowhere to turn.
That reality sits at the centre of ACMA’s strategy: keep Australians away from operators that operate outside the rules.
Verifying which operators are legal
To support that goal, ACMA maintains a public register of approved operators. Anyone can check whether a wagering service holds a valid Australian licence before signing up or depositing funds.
It is a simple tool, but an important one, especially as offshore operators continue trying to reach Australian bettors through lookalike brands and aggressive marketing.
Wider enforcement activity continues
This latest round of blocking follows a series of formal warnings issued in October. Several operators based in Curaçao, the Netherlands and the Comoros Islands were flagged for offering unlicensed casino and betting services to Australians.
These warnings act as a signal to the wider market: Australia is watching closely, and compliance is not optional.
A tighter, safer online market
The country’s regulatory approach is evolving. Blocking sites is only one tool. But as each new platform is added to the list, the message grows stronger.
Australia wants a market where players know exactly who is behind the platform they are using. A market where licensed operators follow strict rules. A market where illegal services find fewer ways in.
With nine more platforms now blocked, the question becomes: how long can offshore operators keep trying to slip through the cracks?
Source: Gambling Insider
