In October 2025, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) announced a new milestone in its fight against illegal gambling. The total number of blocked illegal gambling websites reached 1,338. For Australia, this represents one of the most significant achievements since the website-blocking program was launched under the Interactive Gambling Act.
Only a few years ago, such figures seemed unattainable. In the late 2010s, the number of blocked websites was measured in the dozens. The figure then grew rapidly. First there were hundreds of blocked sites, then more than a thousand, and by 2025 the number of restricted domains had exceeded 1,338.
The increase is driven by several factors. On one hand, ACMA has been granted broader powers to combat illegal operators. On the other hand, the offshore market continues to launch new projects targeting Australian users.
Illegal operators have been particularly active in promoting online casinos. Unlike sports betting, which can operate within a licensed framework, most casino products remain outside Australia’s domestic licensing system. This is why offshore operators continue to view Australia as an attractive market.
According to ACMA, dozens of operators voluntarily exited the Australian market after receiving warnings from the regulator. Other companies chose to stop serving Australian customers before formal sanctions were imposed.
The development of the National Consumer Protection Framework, the launch of BetStop and stricter operator requirements have made the fight against the illegal sector one of the government’s top priorities.
Experts at rollingslots-au.com note that modern gambling enforcement extends far beyond blocking individual websites. Today, regulators target payment infrastructure, advertising channels, affiliate networks and the broader ecosystem supporting illegal gambling businesses.
For the government, the figure of 1,338 blocked websites is an indicator of the effectiveness of regulatory oversight. For players, it confirms that market supervision is becoming more active and systematic.
How the Blocking System Works and Why It Continues to Expand
ACMA uses a multi-layered website-blocking framework. The process begins with identifying a website that may be violating Australian gambling laws.
After analysing the site’s activities, the regulator determines whether the operator is offering services to Australian users without the appropriate authorisation. If a breach is confirmed, formal enforcement measures begin.
The information is then provided to internet service providers, which are required to restrict access to the website within Australia. This mechanism forms the foundation of the country’s domain-blocking system.
However, experience has shown that blocking a single domain rarely eliminates an illegal brand. Many offshore operators prepare backup websites and additional domains in advance.
As a result, ACMA continues to broaden its enforcement efforts. Today, attention extends beyond primary websites to associated domains, advertising platforms and supporting infrastructure used by operators.
International cooperation also plays an important role. Many illegal operators target multiple jurisdictions simultaneously, and information-sharing arrangements help regulators identify offenders more quickly.
Table: Steps in the Website-Blocking Process
| Stage | Action |
| 1 | Identification of a potential violation |
| 2 | Analysis of website activities |
| 3 | Assessment against the Interactive Gambling Act |
| 4 | ACMA decision |
| 5 | Notification of internet service providers |
| 6 | Domain blocking |
| 7 | Monitoring for mirror websites |
| 8 | Additional sanctions and oversight |
Why Enforcement Is Accelerating Right Now
The increase in enforcement activity is not solely the result of ACMA’s actions. Australia’s entire approach to gambling regulation has evolved significantly in recent years.
Following the implementation of key elements of the National Consumer Protection Framework, the government began developing a more unified regulatory model. New standards were introduced for player identification, self-exclusion and responsible gambling procedures.
Another important factor was the launch of BetStop in 2023. The national self-exclusion register became the largest player protection initiative in Australian history. Its effectiveness depends heavily on how well the illegal market is controlled.
If a player can simply move to an offshore website after activating self-exclusion, the value of the system is diminished. This is why the fight against illegal operators is viewed as a crucial complement to responsible gambling measures.
Another factor is the growth of digital marketing. Illegal brands actively use social media, search advertising and affiliate programs to attract customers. This forces regulators to broaden the scope of their oversight.
As technology evolves, ACMA gains greater capacity to identify new operators, analyse their infrastructure and detect connections between related websites.
For the government, stronger enforcement enhances market integrity. For licensed operators, it reduces pressure from businesses operating outside the rules of the regulated market.
Methods Used by Illegal Operators After Websites Are Blocked
Despite the growing number of blocked websites, illegal operators continue looking for ways to maintain access to customers.
The most common method involves website mirrors. Once one domain is blocked, a new website is launched that closely replicates the original platform.
Many offshore casinos register dozens of backup domains in advance. Once access to one address is restricted, traffic is quickly redirected to another.
Affiliate marketing is also widely used. Affiliate websites publish reviews, rankings and links to replacement domains even after the original website has been blocked.
Cryptocurrency payments play an additional role. They help bypass certain traditional banking restrictions and make financial transactions more difficult to monitor.
VPN services are also increasingly common. Some users employ them to circumvent geographic restrictions and access blocked platforms.
Mobile applications have become another popular channel. In some cases, illegal brands focus more heavily on apps than traditional websites.
Automatic redirects are also frequently used. Users visit an old address and are immediately redirected to a new domain.
Table: Common Circumvention Techniques
| Method | How It Works | Risk Level for Players |
| Mirror websites | New domain after a block | High |
| Backup domains | Rapid replacement of blocked addresses | High |
| VPN services | Bypass geographic restrictions | Medium |
| Affiliate traffic | Promotion through affiliates | Medium |
| Cryptocurrency payments | Alternative payment methods | High |
| Mobile applications | Access outside traditional browsers | High |
| Automatic redirects | Immediate domain changes | High |
The main issue for players is the absence of legal protection. In the event of a dispute, users effectively lose the ability to seek assistance from Australian regulators.
What Ordinary Players Gain from Stronger Enforcement
For most users, stronger enforcement translates into enhanced player protection.
Many illegal platforms do not support self-exclusion, lack customer protection tools and do not participate in national responsible gambling initiatives.
Licensed operators are required to comply with player verification obligations, conduct age checks and meet strict security standards.
When using Rolling Slots login or any other licensed service, players know which authorities regulate the operator and what forms of protection are available if a dispute arises.
Consumer safeguards play a key role and include:
- deposit limits;
- self-exclusion programs;
- activity monitoring;
- spending alerts;
- complaint resolution procedures.
Table: Impact of Website Blocking on Users
| Factor | Positive Impact | Potential Drawback |
| Blocking illegal websites | Reduced fraud risk | Fewer options available |
| Identity verification | Improved account security | Additional procedures |
| Operator oversight | Greater transparency | Stricter requirements |
| Self-exclusion | Enhanced player protection | Restricted access |
| Payment monitoring | Safer transactions | Fewer alternative payment options |
In the long term, regulators believe the benefits of this model outweigh its limitations.
What International Experience Demonstrates
The experience of international markets supports the effectiveness of a comprehensive approach to combating illegal gambling.
The United Kingdom focuses on licensing, financial monitoring and strict operator oversight. The UK Gambling Commission is widely regarded as one of the most influential gambling regulators in the world.
Germany introduced a centralised supervisory system following the Glücksspielstaatsvertrag reforms, along with additional tools for tackling illegal operators.
In the Netherlands, the Kansspelautoriteit actively oversees advertising, bonus offers and compliance with licensing requirements.
In all of these markets, licensed operators have gained a competitive advantage thanks to higher levels of consumer trust.
At the same time, the importance of regulatory compliance continues to grow. Companies are investing millions of dollars in monitoring technologies, transaction analysis and customer protection systems.
The changes are especially visible within wagering services, where users increasingly prefer regulated platforms over offshore alternatives.
Table: Global Regulatory Approaches
| Country | Main Tool | Outcome |
| United Kingdom | Enhanced operator oversight | Greater trust in the licensed sector |
| Germany | Centralised supervision | More effective market control |
| Netherlands | Advertising and bonus regulation | Higher share of licensed operators |
| Sweden | Strict licensing requirements | Reduced illegal market activity |
| Australia | ACMA website blocking and NCPF | Greater pressure on offshore operators |
Can Australia Eliminate the Illegal Market by 2030?
By October 2025, ACMA had already blocked 1,338 illegal gambling websites. However, the existence of such a large number of websites demonstrates that the issue remains significant.
Experience from mature markets shows that completely eliminating the illegal sector is virtually impossible. The primary objective is to reduce its influence and make it less attractive to users.
Australia is already using several tools simultaneously:
- website blocking;
- payment monitoring;
- BetStop;
- the National Consumer Protection Framework;
- expanded ACMA powers.
Technology will play an increasingly important role. Artificial intelligence systems are capable of analysing thousands of transactions and identifying suspicious activity far faster than humans.
For players, trust in a brand is becoming the most important factor. Many users read a Rolling Slots review before registering, compare experiences through Rolling Slots testimonials and evaluate the transparency of an operator’s terms and conditions.
Bonus policies are also evolving. Offers such as the Rolling Slots bonus are becoming easier to understand and more transparent, while disclosure requirements continue to become stricter.
Table: Expected Industry Trends
| Area | Likely Trend |
| Website blocking | Continued growth |
| Payment monitoring | Increased oversight |
| Use of AI | Industry standard |
| Player protection | Further expansion |
| Role of BetStop | Continued growth |
| Share of the licensed market | Expected to increase |
| Pressure on illegal operators | Expected to intensify |
Australia is unlikely to completely eliminate illegal gambling by 2030. However, the combination of website blocking, financial monitoring, advanced technologies and player protection measures has the potential to significantly reduce the influence of the black market while strengthening the position of the licensed sector.
