The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has requested internet service providers to block six further illegal online gambling websites after investigations found them operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
The latest sites subject to blocking requests are Play Jonny, ACO96, TCL99, Waboom77, Wonaco and WooSpin. The regulator said website blocking remains one of several enforcement measures aimed at protecting Australians from unlicensed offshore gambling operators.
Since ACMA issued its first blocking request in November 2019, a total of 1,708 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked. In addition, more than 230 unlawful services have withdrawn from the Australian market since the authority began enforcing strengthened illegal online gambling rules in 2017.
ACMA warned that services which appear legitimate may still lack critical consumer safeguards required under Australian law. Users of illegal platforms face the risk of losing funds without recourse to dispute resolution or regulatory protection.
Consumers are urged to verify whether a wagering operator is authorised to operate in Australia by consulting the official register of licensed interactive gambling providers. Services not listed on the register are not permitted to offer online wagering to Australian customers.
The regulator also encouraged members of the public to lodge complaints if they encounter gambling providers not on the register, or if licensed operators are found offering prohibited services such as credit betting or in-play wagering.
ACMA said it will continue to monitor and disrupt unlawful gambling activity online, as part of its broader efforts to uphold the integrity of Australia’s regulated wagering market and reduce harm associated with illegal operators.
Australians can check whether a wagering provider is licensed via ACMA’s public register before placing bets online
