ACMA issues warnings to four gambling sites for illegal services

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has taken action against four companies found to be offering gambling services without the required approvals in Australia. The regulator issued formal warnings to each operator, cautioning them that ongoing breaches could result in stricter enforcement steps, including requests to block access to their sites.

The warnings were addressed to Stellar Ltd, which runs the online casino brand Spinit; Just Entertainment B.V., responsible for Lucky Ones7; Digibrite S.R.L., the operator of The Pokies; and Hollycorn N.V., behind Slot Lounge. According to ACMA’s investigation, each of these companies had made gambling products available to Australian players despite not holding a license to do so.

The regulator explained that offering gambling without authorization not only violates the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 but also denies consumers the protections available under the licensed system. In a statement, ACMA stressed that “the provision of unlicensed gambling services is a serious violation” and made clear that repeat non-compliance could lead to escalated actions, such as urging internet service providers to restrict access to these platforms.

Website Blocking as a Key Enforcement Tool

The latest actions are part of a wider strategy by the Authority to curb illegal gambling activity in the country. Website blocking has become one of ACMA’s primary enforcement tools since its first request to Australian ISPs in late 2019. Over time, this method has led to 1,322 gambling and affiliate websites being rendered inaccessible within Australia.

The ACMA recently confirmed that Slot Lounge and Spinit are among the newest additions to the list of blocked sites, alongside Betzillo, FastSpin99, and PokiesPros. Blocking requests are designed to limit the reach of unlawful services and to steer players away from platforms that fail to comply with the country’s laws.

Since the Authority began enforcing its strengthened measures in 2017, about 220 offshore operators have voluntarily withdrawn from the Australian gambling market. Officials have described this as evidence that consistent regulatory pressure is deterring companies from continuing to target local consumers illegally.

Ongoing Scrutiny and Consumer Warnings

The enforcement activity against Stellar Ltd is notable because the company had already come under scrutiny earlier this year. In August, it was issued a separate warning for offering unlicensed online casino services through the Spinit brand, showing that regulators are keeping close track of repeat offenders.

ACMA’s broader compliance program involves monitoring offshore websites, coordinating with payment providers, and working with ISPs to block access to operators who persistently flout regulations. The aim is to safeguard Australians from the financial and personal risks tied to unregulated gambling.

Consumers are also being reminded that appearances can be misleading. The Authority has cautioned that even if an online gambling service seems professional or trustworthy, it is “unlikely to have important customer protections” if it lacks an Australian license. Players using such sites risk losing funds, with limited or no recourse. To help, ACMA maintains a public register where anyone can check whether a wagering operator is legally approved to operate in the country.

The regulator has also published guides and resources explaining how Australians can protect themselves from unlicensed services and how to submit complaints about illegal sites.

A Continued Push for Market Integrity

The four new warnings add to a growing body of enforcement actions aimed at cleaning up the online gambling environment in Australia. By targeting operators without licenses and increasing the use of site blocking, ACMA continues to emphasize that only regulated platforms will be tolerated in the market.

With more than a thousand websites already blocked and hundreds of services forced out of the country, the regulator’s message is clear: unlicensed gambling has no place in Australia’s online market, and continued violations will not go unchecked.

Source:

Latest illegal online gambling websites blocked, acma.gov.au, September 2025