New reporting based on figures obtained from Scamwatch, indicates the extent of the problem. In the first six months of 2025, more than 400 First Nations people lost A$2.8 million to scams. Of that, almost A$373,000 was lost to betting and sports scams, an increase of 797% compared to the same time last year. Financial counselors working with First Nations communities say the activity has spread to multiple states, and it’s increasingly being seen in relation to emergency assistance, unpaid bills, and household budgets.
In certain areas, these tactics are referred to as “ding ding” or “scambling”. These are usually colorful and mobile-friendly gambling platforms that promise fast wins or bonus credits. Victims are encouraged to keep sending money, often in small increments via PayID transfers. But in most cases, they never see any withdrawal at all. The potential harm from such scams is harder to detect initially, as it builds up slowly over time before it becomes significant.
Why This Is More Than a Gambling Story
Scambling wasn’t identified until 2024, according to the Fintel Alliance, a part of AUSTRAC. However, this phenomenon has already become a form of broader financial crime. As Fintel Alliance’s report suggests, scambling sites are often operated offshore, and advertised through traditional social media channels and app stores. These resources are designed to not only facilitate deposits but also collect personal and banking information. Another notable research finding is that scambling activity was disproportionately present among lower-income, Indigenous, and remote communities.
However, the problem does not end with the loss suffered through the scam themes. As AUSTRAC states, some victims also get involved with micro-laundering syndicates after they share their account or PayID information in return for game credits or cash. This means that a player may lose money and lose the account, yet still be exposed to banking restrictions or other forms of fraud.
Enforcement Is Moving, but So Are the Operators
The country already has laws prohibiting online casinos, slots, and poker services targeting local users. According to ACMA’s announcement of 13 February 2026, 1,518 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked since the first request to block in 2019. Over 220 illegal gambling services have also left the market since 2017, when the laws were tightened. Despite this, the rate at which these illegal gambling services come and go is alarming.
The Australian case also seems to be part of a larger pattern. Forcepoint has recently identified a series of fake online casinos targeting users in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Turkey, indicating that the attackers are using the same model for different countries. What’s special about the Australian case, however, is how clearly the targeting now intersects with social vulnerability.
For regulators, the question is no longer one of illegal gambling entering a restricted market. It is one of illegal gambling serving as a vector for fraud, data theft, and money mule recruitment in a society that already has fewer buffers to absorb economic shocks. This takes the stakes well beyond gambling policy and makes cooperation between regulators, banks, platforms, and local support groups harder to delay.
