Online casino in Australia: the law, the ACMA and offshore sites
In Australia the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 prohibits offering online casino games — pokies, roulette, blackjack — to people in the country. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) can block sites that do so.
Operators that still accept Australian players are therefore offshore, licensed abroad (commonly Curacao or Anjouan). This page sets out what is allowed, what is not, and what it means for the player. It is informational and not legal advice.
The operators at a glance
The overviews below show online casino operators that accept players from Australia. None is licensed in Australia; they operate under a foreign licence. The information comes from the operators themselves; we do not test them or assign ratings.
| Operator | Welcome bonus | Licence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| JeetCitysince 2022 | — | Curacao | Visit site |
| LolaJack | 400% up to $22,500 + 400 FS | Not disclosed | Visit site |
| MoonWin | — | Curacao | Visit site |
| N1Bet | 100% up to AU$2,000 + 150 FS | Curacao | Visit site |
| Slots Gallery | — | Not listed in verified data | Visit site |
| Spinrisesince 2025 | 40x | Tobique | Visit site |
Advertising: the links in this table are advertising links. Bonus details reflect the position on 13 November 2026 and can change at any time; only the operator’s terms are binding. 18+, gambling can be addictive. Gambling Help Online: 1800 858 858.
What is allowed online in Australia?
The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 makes it an offence to provide online casino gaming to people in Australia. Licensed online wagering exists for sports and racing betting, but casino games — pokies, roulette, blackjack, baccarat — are not licensable online.
A site offering online casino games to Australians is therefore not licensed in Australia. It relies on a licence issued abroad.
Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA)
The regulator that enforces the Interactive Gambling Act. It investigates illegal offshore gambling services and can have them blocked by internet providers.
Curacao / Anjouan
Common foreign licences among operators that accept Australians. They do not provide the protection of an Australian licence.
Does the player risk anything?
The Act and the ACMA target the operators that provide the service, not individual players. A player who deposits on an offshore site is not the target of enforcement.
What matters in practice is the lack of Australian protection: no local complaints body if a withdrawal is disputed, no guarantee on funds, and no access to the national self-exclusion scheme. The only counterparties are the operator and the foreign authority that licensed it.
Are winnings taxed?
In Australia, gambling winnings are generally not treated as taxable income for a recreational player: they come from chance, not from carrying on a business. There is normally no income tax on an occasional casino win.
The position can differ for someone whose gambling amounts to a business, or for interest earned on winnings once invested. As any tax question depends on the case, the Australian Taxation Office is the authority.
How to check an operator before you play
A few simple checks help place a site before you deposit.
Country of the licence
Look for the licence in the footer (Curacao, Anjouan…). None is an Australian licence; it only shows which foreign authority oversees the operator.
Bonus terms
Wagering requirement, maximum bet, withdrawal cap, excluded games: the detail is in the terms, not on the banner.
Payments and withdrawals
Check the stated withdrawal methods, times and minimum amounts; they vary by operator.
Responsible gambling
Deposit and time limits, self-exclusion: see what the operator offers, knowing it is not connected to any Australian scheme.
Play within limits
Gambling carries a risk of loss and addiction. A few points apply to any site.
- Set a budget
Decide in advance an amount you can afford to lose, and stick to it. - Set limits
Use the deposit and time limits the site offers. - Don’t chase losses
Playing on to recover a loss is the most common pattern of problem gambling. - Ask for help
Gambling Help Online, 1800 858 858: free and confidential, 24/7.
Is online casino legal in Australia?
No. The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 prohibits providing online casino games to people in Australia. Operators that accept Australians are offshore and not licensed in Australia.
Who enforces the law?
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), which can have illegal offshore sites blocked.
Can a player be prosecuted?
Enforcement targets operators, not players. A player is not the target but has no Australian protection on offshore sites.
Are casino winnings taxed?
Generally not for a recreational player. It can differ if gambling amounts to a business; the Australian Taxation Office is the authority.
Where can I get help with a gambling problem?
From Gambling Help Online: 1800 858 858, free and confidential, 24/7, with online chat.
Sources
The information on this page draws on the following sources.
- Australian Communications and Media Authority — Regulator; illegal offshore gambling and site blocking
- Interactive Gambling Act 2001 — Prohibition on providing online casino games to Australians
- Gambling Help Online — Free, confidential support, 1800 858 858
- Australian Taxation Office — Guidance on taxable income
This text is for information and is not legal or tax advice. The law can change; the authoritative source is the ACMA and the relevant legislation. Gambling is for adults only (18+).