Australia Blocks Three More Illegal Gambling Websites During Awareness Campaign

ACMA blocks 3 more illegal sites - AI Image
Key Takeaways
- ACMA has ordered blocks on Gday77, SpinBet and X4Bet
- Australia has now blocked 1,850 illegal gambling and affiliate websites since November 2019
- The latest action coincides with the first Illegal Gambling Awareness Week
Australia has ordered internet service providers to block another three illegal gambling websites as part of its ongoing crackdown on unlicensed operators.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) announced the latest action on 12 November 2026, naming Gday77, SpinBet and X4Bet as the websites affected.
The announcement comes during the inaugural Illegal Gambling Awareness Week, an international campaign designed to help consumers recognise the risks of using gambling services that operate outside local laws.
ACMA Adds Three Websites to Its Blocking List
ACMA investigated the three gambling services and found that they were operating in breach of Australia's Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
The regulator has requested that Australian internet service providers prevent customers from accessing the websites.
Website blocking has become an important part of Australia's efforts to limit illegal offshore gambling. Since the first blocking request in November 2019, authorities have targeted 1,850 illegal gambling and affiliate websites.
More than 230 illegal gambling services have also withdrawn from the Australian market since ACMA began enforcing strengthened online gambling rules in 2017.
The latest action follows several previous blocking announcements this year. In September, ACMA targeted five websites, including Bet Ninja, Riobet188 and WinShark.
These enforcement measures are intended to make illegal services harder to reach and reduce their ability to attract Australian customers.
However, blocking a website does not necessarily mean its operator has stopped trading internationally.
Illegal Gambling Awareness Week Highlights Consumer Risks
The latest announcement coincides with the first Illegal Gambling Awareness Week, organised by the International Association of Gambling Regulators.
The campaign aims to help consumers understand how to identify illegal gambling websites and why using them can carry additional risks.
According to ACMA's official announcement, even a professional-looking gambling website may operate without the protections required of licensed services.
The regulator warns that consumers who use illegal platforms could lose their deposits or winnings. They may also struggle to recover money if an operator refuses to honour a withdrawal.
Another concern is the security of personal information.
Online gambling websites frequently request identification documents, banking details and other sensitive information. Unlicensed operators may fail to protect this data or could misuse it.
This creates potential risks extending beyond gambling losses, including identity theft and financial fraud.
The awareness campaign encourages consumers to check a gambling service's regulatory status rather than relying on its appearance or advertising.
Australians Encouraged to Check Gambling Licences
ACMA advises consumers to confirm that a wagering service is authorised to operate in Australia before registering an account or depositing money.
The regulator maintains a public register of licensed wagering services and provides information about reporting suspected illegal gambling operators.
Australia's online gambling rules also distinguish between different types of gambling.
Licensed online sports and racing wagering services may operate under Australian law, while online casino games such as pokies and roulette cannot legally be offered to Australians.
This distinction is important because an offshore casino may hold a licence in another country without being authorised to serve Australian customers.
As covered in Casino.com's earlier report on Australia's illegal gambling website crackdown, website blocking has remained a regular feature of the regulator's enforcement programme.
With 1,850 websites now blocked, the latest announcement shows that Australian authorities are continuing to target illegal services while placing greater emphasis on consumer awareness.
The combination of enforcement and education reflects an effort to protect consumers before they lose money or disclose sensitive information to an unlicensed gambling operator.
Heather Gartland is a seasoned casino content editor with over 20 years of experience in the online gambling industry. She specialises in casino reviews, pokies, bonuses, and responsible gambling content, helping players make informed decisions. Based in New Zealand, Heather brings a practical, player-first perspective to every article she writes.
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