The ban targets operators, not players: no law makes it an offence for an Australian to play at an online casino. This guide explains what the law allows, what it bans, how the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) enforces it and what it means for you as a player.
Is online gambling legal in Australia?
Online gambling is legal in Australia only when the service is a permitted type and the operator holds an Australian licence. The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) splits online gambling into two groups:
- Prohibited services: online casino games, online pokies, online poker and online in-play betting on sport. No operator, Australian or offshore, may offer these to people in Australia.
- Regulated services: sports betting before an event starts, racing wagering and lotteries. These are legal online when the operator holds a licence from an Australian state or territory.
Gambling in person follows state and territory law. Land-based casinos, pokies in pubs and clubs, TAB outlets and lottery retailers are legal and licensed by each state.
Are online casinos legal in Australia?
Online casinos are not legal to offer to people in Australia. No Australian state or territory issues licences for online casino games or online pokies, so every online casino that accepts Australian players operates offshore and without an Australian licence.
The ban covers every real money casino game played online: pokies, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, poker and live dealer tables. Social casino apps that pay no real money prizes sit outside the IGA.
Australians still find offshore online casinos because the sites hold licences from places such as Curaçao and accept Australian dollars. These sites are not covered by Australian consumer protection, dispute schemes or responsible gambling rules. Our guide on safe online casinos in Australia explains how to judge an offshore site’s licence, payouts and complaint history.
Is it illegal for players to gamble at online casinos?
It is not illegal for an Australian to play at an online casino. The Interactive Gambling Act makes it an offence to provide or advertise a prohibited service to people in Australia, and those offences apply to operators and advertisers. The Act contains no offence for the player.
Playing offshore still carries three practical risks:
- No Australian complaint route: if a casino refuses to pay, no Australian regulator or ombudsman can step in.
- Blocked access: ACMA can block the site at any time, which can cut you off from your balance.
- Payment problems: banks and payment providers may decline transactions with unlicensed gambling sites.
Winnings from recreational gambling are not taxed in Australia, whether they come from a licensed bookmaker or an offshore casino. Our guide to gambling tax in Australia explains the rule and the exceptions for professional gamblers.
Is sports betting legal online in Australia?
Online sports betting is legal in Australia with a licensed bookmaker, as long as you place the bet before the event starts. Most online bookmakers hold a licence from the Northern Territory Racing Commission, and some are licensed in other states and territories.
Online in-play betting on sport is banned. Live bets placed after a match starts are legal only by phone or in person at a venue or retail outlet. Racing wagering and lotteries are also legal online through licensed providers.
Licensed operators must follow the National Consumer Protection Framework for online wagering. It includes deposit limits, activity statements, a ban on credit and links to BetStop, the national self-exclusion register.
How does ACMA enforce the online gambling ban?
ACMA enforces the Interactive Gambling Act by investigating complaints, issuing formal warnings and asking internet service providers to block illegal sites. Website blocking started in November 2019.
ACMA has blocked more than 1,800 illegal gambling and affiliate websites since its first blocking request in November 2019. More than 230 illegal services have left the Australian market since stronger rules took effect in 2017.
A blocked site shows an ACMA notice instead of the casino. The block applies through Australian internet providers, and the operator’s licence elsewhere does not change it.
What are the key dates in Australian online gambling law?
Australian online gambling law has changed five times in ways that matter for players:
Can you use a credit card for online gambling in Australia?
You cannot use a credit card with a licensed Australian online wagering provider. Since 11 June 2024, licensed bookmakers and racing wagering sites may not accept credit cards, funds linked to a credit card (including digital wallets) or digital currency such as crypto.
The ban covers licensed Australian services. Offshore casinos sit outside it, but they also sit outside the protections the ban was built for. Gambling with borrowed money increases the risk of debt.
What is BetStop?
BetStop is the National Self-Exclusion Register, run by ACMA since August 2023. One registration bars you from every licensed online and phone wagering provider in Australia for a period from 3 months to life.
Licensed operators must check BetStop before opening an account and must close accounts of registered people. BetStop does not cover offshore casinos, which is one more reason they carry higher risk for people trying to stop.
If gambling has become a problem, our guide on how to stop gambling lists the tools that work in Australia, from BetStop to bank gambling blocks.
What is the legal gambling age in Australia?
The legal gambling age in Australia is 18 in every state and territory, both online and in person. Licensed operators must verify your age and identity before you can bet. Our guide on the legal gambling age in Australia covers the rules by state and venue.
Are online pokies legal in Australia?
Online pokies are not legal to offer in Australia. Pokies are legal only in person, in licensed pubs, clubs and casinos, under each state’s rules. Western Australia allows pokies only at Crown Perth.
Real money online pokies played by Australians are offered by offshore casinos. Our guide to online pokies in Australia covers how those sites work, how payouts compare and what to check before you deposit.
This page explains the law in general terms and is not legal advice. If gambling stops being fun, Gambling Help Online offers free, confidential support 24/7 on 1800 858 858.
