ACMA Moves to Block Four More Illegal Gambling Sites Amid Growing Enforcement

While ACMA’s actions are designed to protect local players, the truth is that many Australians still gamble on offshore sites. Blocks put in place by internet providers are often easy to bypass with mirror domains or a simple VPN, and many international casinos are available from an Australian IP address.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing in itself. Many offshore casinos operate legally in their home jurisdictions and offer thousands of pokies, fair payments, and fairer bonuses than what’s available onshore. But the risk comes from the unlicensed operators that target Australians with no oversight, no safeguards, and no guarantee of paying out winnings.

This is where ACMA’s warning carries weight. As the regulator pointed out: “Even if a service looks legitimate, it’s unlikely to have important customer protections.”

One of the newly blocked platforms, Polymarket, has drawn extra attention. Unlike traditional online casinos or sports betting sites, Polymarket is a blockchain-based prediction market. Users wager on the outcomes of events ranging from elections to entertainment news and anything in between.

It became popular during the recent federal election, when thousands of Australians looking to bet on political results used Polymarket’s platform. But because it has no local licence, ACMA deemed it unlawful. Its inclusion highlights the regulator’s growing focus on newer, crypto-only powered gambling models that merge casino-style gaming with finance and speculation.

The four new sites bring ACMA’s blacklist to over 1,200 domains, with dozens added every year. Earlier in 2025, the regulator blocked platforms including Megabet Prize, Mega Medusa, TF2Royal, and Casino Intense. The steady pace of enforcement shows ACMA isn’t slowing down in its hunt for unlicensed sites.

But the reality is that blocking orders rarely keep Australians away from offshore gambling. Instead, the campaign acts as a warning sign for players: if a site is on ACMA’s radar, it likely has a history of treating customers poorly or failing to comply with Australian laws.

The key takeaway for Australian gamblers is that offshore gambling isn’t illegal for individuals. The laws target operators, not players. This means you won’t get in trouble for signing up at an international online casino.

The catch is that you’re on your own if something goes wrong. Playing at an unlicensed site can leave you exposed to a series of problems, like delayed or unpaid withdrawals, unfair games that aren’t audited by independent testing agencies, loss of funds if the site shuts down overnight, and a lack of responsible gambling tools like deposit limits or self-exclusion.

Even if playing at an offshore site, it’s critical to choose a reputable website. Many well-known international brands hold licences in Malta, Curacao, or Gibraltar, and they provide player protection, audited games, and secure payment systems. These sites continue to attract Australians because they often have a bigger game selection, a variety of payment options, and more generous bonuses compared to local TAB or sportsbook apps.

ACMA recommends using its register of licensed wagering services to verify which operators are authorised to operate in Australia, and for those preferring offshore casinos, doing some research on licensing and reputation can go a long way.