How ACMA site blocking works
* The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is the primary government body responsible for overseeing online gambling in Australia. One of the tools to protect players is to block access to sites that violate the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA).
1. Basis for blocking
IGA violation - the provision of prohibited gambling to Australians without a local license.
Lack of responsible play measures - ignoring limits, self-locks, access restriction requests.
Fraud - cheating players, non-payment of winnings, changing the rules retroactively.
Advertising of prohibited services - promotion of illegal casinos in AU.
2. Blocking process
Step 1. Identification of the intruder
ACMA constantly monitors websites and advertising on the Internet.
Complaints from players and other regulators are accepted.
Step 2. Review and investigation
The site is analyzed for IGA compliance.
ACMA records the facts of violation and collects evidence (screenshots, transaction logs, bonus terms).
Step 3. Operator Notification
The operator receives a written demand to stop providing services to Australians.
In case of voluntary withdrawal from the market, blocking does not apply.
Step 4. Request blocking from ISPs
If the operator ignores the requirement, ACMA sends a list of domains to providers to block.
Site mirrors are also included in the list to exclude bypassing the ban.
Step 5. Implementation of interlock
Providers block access to the domain at the DNS or IP level.
When trying to enter the site, the user sees a blocking notification at the request of ACMA.
3. What happens after lockdown
Players lose access to their accounts and funds if the casino does not provide alternative withdrawal methods.
Operators can create new mirrors, but they are also quickly entered into the block list.
Some users use VPNs, which removes them from the protection of Australian laws and increases the risk of fraud.
4. Performance and statistics
Since 2017, ACMA has blocked hundreds of offshore casino and bookmaker domains.
The measure does not completely exclude access to illegal content, but reduces its availability for most players.
Blocking serves as a signal about the risks and illegal status of the resource.
Conclusion:
1. Basis for blocking
IGA violation - the provision of prohibited gambling to Australians without a local license.
Lack of responsible play measures - ignoring limits, self-locks, access restriction requests.
Fraud - cheating players, non-payment of winnings, changing the rules retroactively.
Advertising of prohibited services - promotion of illegal casinos in AU.
2. Blocking process
Step 1. Identification of the intruder
ACMA constantly monitors websites and advertising on the Internet.
Complaints from players and other regulators are accepted.
Step 2. Review and investigation
The site is analyzed for IGA compliance.
ACMA records the facts of violation and collects evidence (screenshots, transaction logs, bonus terms).
Step 3. Operator Notification
The operator receives a written demand to stop providing services to Australians.
In case of voluntary withdrawal from the market, blocking does not apply.
Step 4. Request blocking from ISPs
If the operator ignores the requirement, ACMA sends a list of domains to providers to block.
Site mirrors are also included in the list to exclude bypassing the ban.
Step 5. Implementation of interlock
Providers block access to the domain at the DNS or IP level.
When trying to enter the site, the user sees a blocking notification at the request of ACMA.
3. What happens after lockdown
Players lose access to their accounts and funds if the casino does not provide alternative withdrawal methods.
Operators can create new mirrors, but they are also quickly entered into the block list.
Some users use VPNs, which removes them from the protection of Australian laws and increases the risk of fraud.
4. Performance and statistics
Since 2017, ACMA has blocked hundreds of offshore casino and bookmaker domains.
The measure does not completely exclude access to illegal content, but reduces its availability for most players.
Blocking serves as a signal about the risks and illegal status of the resource.
Conclusion:
- Blocking ACMA sites is a tool to protect Australian players from illegal offshore operators. The process includes investigation, operator notification, and technical restriction of access through ISPs. Despite existing workarounds, locks effectively reduce the audience of banned casinos and inform users of potential risks.
