Is Online Casino Legal in Australia? Current Regulations Explained

Under section 6 of the Act, it is an offence to conduct a public lottery without lawful authority. Aside from potentially losing any money that you have deposited or won, offshore casinos are unlicensed and unregulated in Australia, which means you have no financial or consumer protections. Despite pushback from the iGaming industry and consumers, and numerous political debates on the subject, it seems unlikely that the current stance in Australia of banning online casinos will change in the near future.

Are online casinos legal in Australia?

Some of the industry’s most notable providers, unfortunately, block Australians from accessing their games. However, by playing at casinos that allow the use of a VPN, these blocks can be bypassed by simply switching your IP to another country. Only consider casinos with a verifiable license from a recognised authority. If a site claims to be licensed but offers no way to verify it, that’s a sign to stay away. It doesn’t automatically mean that it’s dishonest, but the risk of non-compliance and potential player issues is certainly higher.

This authority not only sets the rules but also ensures that operators who wish to serve Australian customers meet the highest standards of compliance. Yes, but only when licensed and regulated federally by the Australian Communications and Media Authority. Online sports betting is legal in Australia, but in-play sports betting online is banned. Gambling operators are banned from offering online casino and online poker services to Australian customers, but there are no laws to prevent Australians from gambling at offshore casino sites, albeit at their own risk. The Act explicitly prohibits online casinos and other specific forms of internet-based gambling, targeting service providers rather than individual players.

Importantly, the government “is not asking platforms to verify the age of all users”. The guidance explains such a blanket verification approach “may be considered unreasonable, especially if existing data can infer age reliably”. Some young people may keep their accounts, such as in cases where facial scanning technology estimates them to be over 16. Under-16s will still be able to view social media content online without logging into an account. The government guidance makes clear companies must ensure they are “avoiding reliance on self-declaration alone” (that is, simply asking users their age). Companies must also be “continuously monitoring and improving systems” to demonstrate they are effective in limiting underage account access.

Why Are Online Casinos Banned in Australia? (2025 Guide)

That will give you the best possible chance of clearing them and cashing out a profit. They reward you for topping up your balance at Australia casinos online. Others will pay you in bonus credits, and you’ll need to complete wagering requirements before cashing out.

Many forms of online gambling services are outlawed federally in Australia under section 5 of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (Cth) (‘IGA’). It all comes down to player protection, fraud prevention, and reducing gambling harm. While the ban focuses on the providers, not the players, it still limits access to online casino games across the country. The main restriction of an operator licence relates to what gambling activity can be offered and through which channel. This is often intended to support a ‘sole operator’ or ‘limited operator’ model, under which overlapping product is limited and retail exclusivity is generally preserved.

The duration of major operator licences depends upon the legislative framework in the relevant state or territory and is subject to possible change upon a licence renewal or new licence being issued. An application for a Corporate Bookmaker Licence issued in the NT, or an application for an On-course Bookmaker Licence, typically takes between three and six months for approval and can be made at any time. There is no prescribed maximum number of licences that can be issued; however, in a practical sense there are limitations in respect of the number of On-course Bookmaker Licences that could be issued.

• Under section 6 of the Act, it is an offence to conduct a public lottery without lawful authority.
• Other than in extreme circumstances as highlighted in recent inquiries and Royal Commissions in the casino sector, the vulnerability of the above licences to revocation or suspension has traditionally been low.
• Any permit required for bingo is generally subject to very basic restrictions (usually in relation to approved rules).
• For now, that leaves offshore platforms as the only real choice for players.
• You’ll likely see more stringent regulations aimed at reducing gambling losses across the nation.

Social gaming with no prize, being either money or money’s worth, does not require any licence, given that it is not regarded as gambling under federal, state https://stone-vegas.com/ or territory law. The Interactive Gambling Act’s amendments in 2017 and 2019 significantly strengthened Australia’s approach to online gambling. The 2017 reforms targeted illegal offshore gambling activities, enhancing measures against foreign operators illegally catering to Australians.

Casinos with valuable casino bonuses like loyalty programs, VIP perks, and seasonal promotions scored higher, giving players more chances to extend gameplay while rewarding long-term engagement. Like many Bitcoin casinos in Australia, Mr. Pacho supports multiple deposit and withdrawal options, including crypto wallets like Cardano and Dogecoin. E-wallets typically process same-day withdrawals, while card withdrawals are slower.

The best online casinos in Australia use a licence from the regulatory body of Curacao, which is an important indicator of an honest and responsible virtual casino. The number of gaming machines available in each state and territory is strictly regulated. In the case of a casino, it will depend emefka.sk upon the relevant casino licence. Various states (including NSW and Vic) have implemented harm minimisation measures to cap the number of gaming machine permits/licences on issue in certain lower socio-economic areas. State and territory lotteries engage in pooling arrangements pursuant to what is known as ‘bloc agreements’, under which jackpots are pooled, making the customer offering more attractive. While online casino games are banned, sports betting has seen significant growth.

Reasonable steps for tech companies

Australia’s online gambling landscape has undergone significant changes. Recent regulations aim to enhance consumer protection and tighten industry oversight. By thoroughly researching topics, personally testing casino platforms and games, and staying up to date with industry developments, Mattias ensures every guide is accurate, unbiased, and useful for players. Online casinos should offer multiple ways to get help, including live chat and email. Some also provide phone support or detailed help centres, which can be especially useful if you’re sorting out payment delays or account verification. Excessively high wagering requirements, such as 60x, are generally viewed as unfavorable to players and may be scrutinized under the MGA’s commitment to fair gaming practices.

Many such casinos do offer reasonable bonus terms, but others might push excessive rollover requirements or bury restrictions in the fine print. That’s why it pays to read the bonus policy before claiming anything, not all promotions are built the same. Look carefully at the cashout limits, wagering requirements, maximum bet limits, and other conditions that may apply. Higher wagering may be worth it if you get a high match % on your deposit. A good offshore casino accepts a wide range of Australian-friendly payment options such as POLi, PayID, debit cards, e-wallets, and cryptocurrencies.

But they still off large bonuses and fast payout options tailored to the Aussie market. A ‘legal bookmaker’ is defined as a licensed bookmaker approved by Liquor & Gaming NSW or by any other relevant state or territory legal authority. TAB Limited operates a unique position in online betting in the state in that it is licensed under the Totalizator Act 1997 (NSW) to conduct totalizator and fixed odds wagering. TAB Limited is the exclusive provider of off-course retail betting services in NSW. The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 makes it very clear that is illegal to operate an Australian-based online casino, as well as for offshore casinos to accept Australian customers.

Your balance will be displayed in AUD, your bonuses will be paid in AUD, and you can withdraw in AUD at any time. Under the BetStop system, all online and phone gambling providers licensed in Australia must verify customers’ identities, and check that they are not on the self-exclusion register, before they can place a bet. "In 2018, there were some restrictions around advertising and gambling advertising, in total, went up after those restrictions. So partial ban doesn’t guarantee reducing gambling advertising by any means." But Grattan’s report says the government could introduce the ban via a phased approach to give sporting bodies and broadcasters time to find alternative revenue sources. Roulette enthusiasts can enjoy the thrill of the spin with live Roulette games at Manu88. The live dealer format brings the excitement of a physical casino to the comfort of your home.