The Australian Communications and Media Authority released its quarterly compliance report yesterday. The document covers July through September 2025.
ACMA received 411 enquiries and complaints about online gambling during these three months. Most proved valid. The agency found 350 complaints (85%) fell under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 and warranted investigation.
Complaints came in steadily across the quarter. July saw 133, August had 132, and September brought 134.
Why enforcement ramped up this quarter
The investigation findings show serious compliance problems. ACMA completed 29 investigations covering 30 gambling sites. Only one investigation didn’t find violations.
The agency identified 44 separate breaches across 28 investigations. Most involved operators offering prohibited interactive gambling services to Australian customers, 25 instances total.
Another 16 breaches involved unlicensed regulated gambling services. Three cases involved advertising prohibited or unlicensed gambling services to Australians.
These aren’t minor technical violations. Operators deliberately targeted Australian customers despite lacking proper authorisation. The pattern shows ongoing attempts to circumvent the country’s gambling restrictions.
What actions ACMA took against violators
The regulator issued 20 formal warnings to operators caught breaking the rules. But warnings weren’t the only tool used.
ACMA referred 71 websites to internet service providers for blocking. The same URLs went to family-friendly filter providers so they’d get added to restricted access tools.
The blocked sites included online casinos offering poker, blackjack, roulette and slots. Wagering services without Australian licenses also got blocked.
And ACMA didn’t stop at the primary domains. The agency targeted alternate web addresses too. Some operators had created new domains to dodge previous blocking orders. Those got shut down as well.
How this signals Australia’s tougher enforcement stance
The Q3 figures show ACMA isn’t easing up on unlicensed operators. The 71 blocked websites represent a significant enforcement push during the quarter.
Providing or advertising unlicensed interactive gambling services to Australians violates the IGA. The law makes this prohibition explicit.
ACMA wants more reports from the public. The agency encourages anyone who spots online gambling services that might be breaking the law to come forward with information.
The regulator’s approach combines three tactics: investigation, formal warnings, and website blocking. This strategy aims to disrupt illegal operators before they can establish a foothold in the Australian market. The consistent complaint numbers across all three months suggest Australians remain vigilant about spotting unlicensed gambling services.
