The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has hit a staggering new milestone in its fight against illegal offshore gambling. As of April 2026, ACMA has now blocked a cumulative total of 1,640 illegal gambling and affiliate websites since issuing its first blocking request in November 2019. More than 230 illegal services have also voluntarily pulled out of the Australian market since ACMA began its intensified enforcement campaign in 2017.
This year alone, ACMA has escalated its tactics significantly, from bulk quarterly blocking to targeting crypto-friendly casinos and even forcing Google to delist offenders from Australian search results. These ACMA blocking list additions 2026 represent a fundamental shift in how Australia combats unlicensed gambling operators.
2026 Timeline: Every ACMA Blocking Action to Date
January 2026 – ACMA issued 10 formal warnings and blocked 133 sites in its Q4 2025 push. The regulator received 483 enquiries and complaints during the quarter, completed 23 investigations covering 45 gambling sites, and uncovered 69 breaches of the Interactive Gambling Act (IGA).
February 2026 – ACMA added eight illegal gambling sites to the block list: Lucky Mate, Vegastars, Wombet, Cosmobet, Fortune Play, Fortunica, Rolletto and Velobet. The total reached 1,518. ACMA also issued formal warnings to six offshore operators, including Santeda International, Dama, Neptune Projects, Chefotis Interactive, Happy Interactive and Promotech.
March 2026 – Another eight sites were blocked, including Frumzi, Great Win, MyStake, Oh My Spins, RetroBet, Viperwin, The Dog House 2 Slot and C***spin. The cumulative total reached 1,564.
April 2026 – ACMA added 19 more illegal gambling and affiliate marketing websites, including Bass Bet, BetWhale, CasinOK, Cleobetra, Diva Spin, FatPirate, Free Spinz, Gransino, JackBit, Legiano, Mafia Casino, Magius, Monster Win, NewLucky, Nonbetstop.com, Slotexo, Talismania, Tiki Casino and Vegas Hero. The total now stands at over 1,640 blocked sites.
| Quarter | Sites Blocked | Formal Warnings | Cumulative Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q4 2025 | 133 | 10 | ~1,500 |
| February 2026 | 8 | 6 (operators) | 1,518 |
| March 2026 | 8 | N/A | 1,564 |
| April 2026 | 19 | N/A | 1,640 |
The New Frontline: Google Delisting
On 10 February 2026, ACMA submitted a formal request to Google seeking the removal of 57 domains allegedly offering illegal gambling services to Australians. The document, prepared by ACMA’s Interactive Gambling Taskforce, primarily targeted operator sites rather than affiliate platforms.
Google’s Transparency Report later confirmed that 41 domains had been removed from Australian search results following the regulator’s request. This marks a brand new layer of enforcement. Traditional DNS-level ISP blocking can be bypassed with a VPN, but search removal attacks the customer discovery phase directly. It severely restricts an operator’s organic growth channels and represents a shift from targeting access to targeting visibility — a more durable method of control over unlicensed operators.
Industry analysts have noted that this is the most significant escalation in ACMA’s enforcement toolkit since ISP blocking was introduced in 2019. For operators that rely on Australian search traffic, Google delisting is potentially more damaging than network-level blocks.
The Crypto Casino Crackdown
ACMA’s 2026 enforcement blitz has also homed in on cryptocurrency-friendly platforms. Some of the blocked sites this year — such as BitStarz (via alternate domains and mirror sites), JackBit and CoinPoker — have been crypto-centric operations.
The regulator has broadened its enforcement to include restrictions on payment providers, including cryptocurrency exchanges facilitating deposits to offshore gambling sites. Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA) has called for a national gambling blacklist that would empower ACMA to order banks and payment platforms to block transactions to offshore betting platforms, as well as social media sites to remove advertising by illegal operators.
This focus on crypto casinos reflects the growing trend of Australians using digital currencies to bypass traditional payment restrictions. ACMA’s ability to target these platforms remains an evolving challenge, but the inclusion of crypto sites on the block list signals a clear intent to close this loophole.
Influencers Put on Notice – $41,700 Fines per Individual
In March 2026, ACMA warned social media influencers that promoting illegal gambling services could result in significant penalties. Individuals face fines of approximately $41,700 per breach, while corporations face penalties up to $1.68 million.
The warning applies to any influencer who promotes offshore gambling sites that are not licensed to operate in Australia. This includes sponsored posts, affiliate links, reviews, and any other form of endorsement. ACMA has the power to investigate and pursue enforcement actions against influencers regardless of whether they are based in Australia, as long as the content is accessible to Australian audiences.
This move brings influencer marketing into the same regulatory crosshairs as traditional gambling advertising. It also signals a shift toward holding individual content creators accountable for the platforms they promote, rather than focusing solely on the operators themselves.
ACMA’s Warning to Australian Players
ACMA officials have consistently warned that offshore gambling websites often appear legitimate but lack the essential customer protections required of licensed Australian operators.
Key risk factors for Australian punters:
- No dispute resolution mechanism — ACMA cannot help recover funds from illegal operators
- No self-exclusion protections — offshore sites are outside BetStop’s jurisdiction
- Significant financial loss risk — industry research estimates Australians lose nearly $4 billion annually to unlicensed sites
- Banking complications — deposits are processed through unregulated payment routes
ACMA encourages consumers to verify whether a wagering service is licensed to operate in Australia through the official online register before signing up. The regulator also notes that even if a site is not currently blocked, it may still be operating illegally, and players assume all risk when using such services.
ACMA’s 2026 blocking campaign represents a significant escalation in Australia’s fight against illegal offshore gambling. With 1,640 sites now blocked, the regulator has moved beyond ISP blocking to target Google search results, cryptocurrency platforms, and social media influencers.
The cat-and-mouse game continues, but ACMA’s new tools — particularly Google delisting — have shifted the balance. Operators now face not only network-level blocks but also the removal of their digital storefront from Australia’s most popular search engine. For punters, the message remains clear: offshore gambling carries significant risks, and ACMA cannot help recover funds lost to illegal operators.
Sources: ACMA quarterly reports, Google Transparency Report, Australian Communications and Media Authority
How Many Gambling Sites Has ACMA Blocked in 2026?
Q1: How many gambling sites has ACMA blocked in total? ▼
As of April 2026, ACMA has blocked a cumulative total of 1,640 illegal gambling and affiliate websites since November 2019. More than 230 illegal services have also voluntarily pulled out of the Australian market.
Q2: Can ACMA remove gambling sites from Google search results? ▼
Yes. On 10 February 2026, ACMA requested Google remove 57 domains. Google later confirmed that 41 domains had been removed from Australian search results, marking a significant escalation beyond traditional ISP blocking.
Q3: Are crypto casinos on ACMA’s block list? ▼
Yes. In 2026, ACMA has blocked several cryptocurrency‑friendly platforms, including BitStarz (via mirror sites), JackBit and CoinPoker. The regulator has also targeted crypto exchanges facilitating deposits to illegal gambling sites.
Q4: What penalties do influencers face for promoting illegal gambling? ▼
In March 2026, ACMA warned that social media influencers could face fines of approximately $41,700 per individual for promoting illegal gambling services, with corporations facing penalties up to $1.68 million.
Q5: What are the risks of using offshore gambling sites? ▼
Offshore sites lack Australian consumer protections. ACMA cannot help recover funds, BetStop does not apply, and financial transactions are processed through unregulated payment routes. Australians lose nearly $4 billion annually to unlicensed sites.
