Definition 

The ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) is the government agency responsible for online gambling enforcement, website blocking, advertising regulation, and the shutdown of non-compliant platforms in Australia.

While some state-level gambling operations are permitted, most forms of online gambling are strictly prohibited under the Interactive Gambling Act (IGA). Therefore, ACMA’s primary missions include:

• Blocking illegal gambling websites.

• Banning unauthorized gambling advertisements.

• Imposing restrictions on gambling payment channels.

• Publishing blacklists (Illegal Offshore Gambling Websites List).

• Investigating cooperation between agents, payment providers, and overseas platforms.

ACMA is recognized as one of the most proactive gambling regulatory units globally.

Core Functions

Website Blocking

ACMA issues blocking lists to Australian ISPs monthly. These enforcement actions have increased significantly since 2020.

Search Engine De-listing

Advertising Compliance

Advertising Compliance

Any gambling advertisement not licensed in Australia is illegal, including:

• Affiliate marketing

• KOL (Influencer) promotions

• Social media ads

• Search engine marketing (SEM)

Violation Reporting Mechanism

Platforms, agents, or players can report illegal websites directly to ACMA.

Inter-agency Cooperation

Impact on the Industry

• Creates a high-risk operating environment for illegal platforms.

• Increases traffic costs and customer acquisition difficulty in the Australian market.

• Affiliate Marketing is almost impossible to operate openly within Australia.

• While many platforms attempt to use VPNs, they face continuous blocking efforts.

Examples of Enforcement Actions

• Blocking the "Australian entry domains" of major international casinos.

• Prohibiting sports betting advertisements during specific time slots.

• Penalizing social media traffic manipulation.

• Publishing "Warning Lists" to encourage platforms to voluntarily withdraw from the Australian market.