The law on online casino gambling in Australia
Australian gambling law separates what can be offered online from what cannot. Online wagering on sport and racing is licensed; online casino gaming is not.
This page explains what the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 prohibits, how the ACMA enforces it, and what it means for players. It is informational and not legal advice.
The Interactive Gambling Act 2001
The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 is the central law. It makes it an offence to provide an online casino gaming service to people physically present in Australia — slots (pokies), roulette, blackjack and similar games.
Online wagering on sports and racing is treated differently and can be licensed. Casino games, however, are not licensable online, so no operator holds an Australian online casino licence.
How does the ACMA enforce it?
The Australian Communications and Media Authority investigates illegal offshore gambling services and can ask internet providers to block them. It also maintains public information on prohibited services.
These measures target the operators and access to their sites, not individual players.
What does this mean for players?
A player in Australia is not the target of enforcement and is not prosecuted for depositing on an offshore site. But there is no Australian recourse if something goes wrong.
Offshore operators sit under a foreign licence, usually Curacao or Anjouan. That licence is not an Australian one and does not bring Australian consumer protection or access to the national self-exclusion scheme (BetStop).
Which online gambling is legal in Australia?
Online wagering on sport and racing can be licensed. Online casino games are not licensable online and are prohibited.
Does the ACMA block sites?
Yes. It investigates illegal offshore gambling services and can have them blocked by internet providers.
What does a Curacao licence mean?
It is a foreign licence, not an Australian one, and does not provide Australian consumer protection.
Sources
Official and legal sources used on this page.
- ACMA — Regulator; offshore gambling and blocking
- Interactive Gambling Act 2001 — Prohibition on online casino games to Australians
- Gambling Help Online — Support, 1800 858 858
General information, not legal advice. The authoritative sources are the ACMA and the legislation.