Australia is doing all it can to ensure that its players are as safe as possible. This includes pushing back on illegal offshore sites that are doing more harm than good. Although these sites can often offer different games options to regulated Australian, they’re simply not safe because they operate unregulated. This puts you as a player at risk because it means that you are not protected by any governing house. In addition to this, Australia is also taking ad bans seriously. Advertising for thrilling new games that is sometimes seen as controversial and the Australian government is trying to manage this conversation as best it can.
In September 2024, according to Queensland Treasury, online turnover in Australia rose 165.7% year-on-year to $75.4m in 2022-2023, making up 31% of total turnover. Per capita online spending reached $397.5. This is a massive amount. And this is exactly why the government is stepping in to try to see how it can help streamline such a massive market.
A Broader and More Aggressive Crackdown on Offshore
Australia’s crackdown on illegal offshore has widened significantly, largely driven by the Australian Communications and Media Authority, better known as ACMA. This body enforces the Interactive Act 2001 at a federal level and its mandate is clear: unlicensed online style games and in-play sports betting are illegal in Australia.
What’s changed is how actively and consistently ACMA is enforcing those rules. One of the most visible actions has been large-scale website blocking. Since November 2019, ACMA has ordered Australian internet service providers to block access to illegal websites. That number has grown rapidly, with more than 1,450 unlicensed and affiliate sites blocked so far. Many of these actions occurred during 2024 and 2025, showing that enforcement is accelerating rather than slowing down.
Beyond blocking sites, ACMA has also pressured operators directly. More than 220 illegal services have voluntarily exited the Australian market after receiving warnings or facing the threat of further regulatory action. This is bad news for offshore sites but excellent news for online players. Why? Because it means that online players can engage in the sites they want, without worrying about safety. In fact, Erik King was quoted claiming saying that, online safety is key for players in this day and age, especially when it comes to real money options. This means that Australia’s crackdown is creating a more secure ecosystem overall.
Targeting Affiliates, Influencers and the Money Flow
The crackdown doesn’t stop with operators themselves. ACMA is now preparing to go after the ecosystem that helps illegal platforms thrive. That includes affiliate marketers and social media influencers who promote offshore sites to Australian audiences.
If you’ve ever seen influencers casually promoting betting platforms on social media, that landscape may soon look very different. ACMA has warned that promoting illegal services can lead to penalties worth millions of dollars. The focus is on making it risky not just to operate illegal sites, but to advertise them in any form.
Another major front in this enforcement push is payments. Regulators are working closely with banks and law enforcement to detect and block financial transactions linked to illegal operators. Credit cards and digital currencies have already been banned for online wagering, and payment disruption has become a key tactic.
What This Means for You as a Player
If you gamble online in Australia, these changes are meant to protect you but they also put more responsibility on your shoulders. Unlicensed offshore sites offer very little consumer protection. If something goes wrong, there’s no meaningful recourse for lost funds.
ACMA strongly advises Australians to check its public register before using any gambling service. That register shows which operators are legal and regulated in Australia. It’s one of the simplest ways to avoid unnecessary risk.
Using licensed platforms means:
- Clearer rules around payouts and disputes
- Stronger protections for personal and financial data
- Access to complaint and resolution processes
- Greater transparency around odds and terms
Illegal sites may look appealing at first glance, but the risks increase dramatically once something goes wrong.
The Advertising Debate Heats Up
While enforcement against illegal sites is ramping up, another debate is playing out in public: advertising. If you feel like betting ads are everywhere, you’re not alone. Public frustration has been growing, especially around exposure during family viewing times.
Currently, Australia already has restrictions in place. ads are banned during live sports broadcasts between 5 am and 8:30 pm. Despite that, many people still feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of advertising across television, streaming platforms and social media.
Public Sentiment Is Driving the Shift
One reason this debate has gained momentum is public sentiment. Many Australians feel that advertising has become unavoidable, especially during sporting events that families watch together. The constant exposure has raised concerns about normalization, addiction risks and the impact on younger audiences. Even without a total ad ban, the pressure from the public has already pushed regulators to rethink existing rules. That pressure is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
Where Things Are Headed Next
Taken together, these developments point to a environment that’s becoming more controlled and more selective. Illegal offshore operators are being pushed out through blocking, payment disruption and legal threats. At the same time, legal operators may soon face tighter rules around how they market their services.
Australia’s approach shows a clear shift in priorities. Enforcement is no longer reactive. It’s proactive, wide-reaching, and increasingly sophisticated. Whether you gamble regularly or just follow the news, it’s clear that the rules of the game are changing.
