Age is one part of a wider set of rules on whether online gambling is legal in Australia, which decide what you can play and where. This guide explains how the age limit is enforced, what ID you need and how Australia compares with other countries.
What is the legal gambling age in Australia?
The legal gambling age in Australia is 18, with no exceptions by state, territory or type of gambling. Each state sets the rule in its own gambling laws, and all of them use the same age.
Minors also cannot enter the gaming area of a casino or the gaming room of a pub or club, even without placing a bet.
How old do you have to be to gamble online in Australia?
You must be 18 to gamble online in Australia. Licensed online bookmakers and lottery providers must check your identity and age before you can place a bet.
Since 2023, licensed wagering providers must verify a new customer’s identity when the account is opened and before the first bet. The previous rule allowed up to 72 hours to complete verification, which meant an unverified account could bet in the meantime.
Offshore online casinos also set 18 as their minimum age in their terms, but they are not bound by Australian verification rules. Most check ID only before the first withdrawal. Our guide on safe online casinos in Australia explains why a casino that verifies identity is the safer choice.
What ID do you need to enter a casino in Australia?
You need valid photo ID showing you are 18 or older to enter an Australian casino. Accepted documents usually include:
- Driver licence: an Australian licence, physical or digital where the state accepts it.
- Passport: Australian or foreign.
- Proof of age card: issued by a state or territory government.
Casinos such as Crown and The Star check ID at the entrance to gaming areas. Staff can refuse entry to anyone who cannot prove their age, and venues face fines for letting minors gamble.
What happens if someone under 18 gambles in Australia?
Venues and operators carry the main legal risk when a minor gambles. They can face fines and licence penalties for allowing it, and they must refuse entry or close accounts when they find an underage customer.
A minor who wins is not entitled to keep the prize under most operators’ terms. Online operators void bets and close accounts opened with false details, and land-based venues can refuse to pay out.
Parents and guardians can block gambling sites with device filters and bank gambling blocks. If a young person in your care shows signs of gambling harm, Gambling Help Online offers free, confidential support 24/7 on 1800 858 858.
Does BetStop have an age requirement?
BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register, is open to anyone 18 or older. Registration bars you from every licensed Australian online and phone wagering provider for 3 months up to life.
BetStop launched on 21 August 2023 and works alongside the stricter identity checks introduced that year. It does not cover offshore casinos. Our guide on how to stop gambling lists the self-exclusion and blocking tools that work across both.
