Is Gambling Legal In Australia

Australia is one of the major civilized countries in the world and gambling is perfectly legal in Australia. It has some very strict rules in regards to who can gamble and where they can gamble. In fact, Australia has one of the most stringent sets of laws and regulations surrounding gambling. The current legal gambling framework still permits brick-and-mortar gambling, but online options are scarce due to tighter restrictions. There are explanations of the laws below. Gambling Laws In Australia. Interactive Gambling Act 2001 – The Interactive Gambling Act was Australian Parliament’s way of addressing online gambling.

Gambling is a very popular pastime among Aussies, and hence is a thriving industry for the nation. Both online and offline gambling entertainment is present in Australia, with various levels of governmental oversight regarding regulation, licensing and operational directives. This section of our guide is designed to provide you with information about the gambling laws in Australia, and how they pertain to you as a player. We cover both online and offline gambling laws, and offer a helpful FAQ section that really breaks down the elements that most people have questions about. The legal landscape of gambling can be a complex maze to navigate, and its our job to break the information down into easy to understand, bite sized facts that enable our Aussie players to make informed decisions regarding their involvement in this type of entertainment.

Land Based Gambling Laws in Australia

The popularity of gambling in Australia is evident in the range of options available to players. From posh casinos to popular pub pokies, there is something for everyone. Australian gambling law permits a variety of casino games, including slots, pokies (video poker), keno and poker. There are a number of brick and mortar casinos down under as well as slots and pokies located at pubs, restaurants and other retail locations. Also allowed are specific forms of sports betting, bingo, lottery and racing.

Gambling laws applying to brick and mortar gambling entertainment are regional specific. The majority of gambling regulation, licensing and operational directives are administered via individual state and territorial jurisdictions. National oversight is administered through the Australian Commonwealth, though from a minimalistic approach. You can learn more about the regulation of legal land based gambling on our page about Regional Gambling Laws in Australia.

Online Gambling Laws in Australia

Online gambling, or interactive gambling as Australia terms it, is one area where the Commonwealth has gotten more involved from a national regulatory standpoint. The onset of technological advances within the gambling industry brought Australia face to face with Internet gambling sites. In 2001, the Interactive Gambling Act was passed by the Australian Commonwealth in an effort to protect Aussie residents from questionable gambling environments, and to curtail illegal, unlicensed gambling activity online. The IGA effectively prohibits Australian based online gambling sites from offering their services to Aussie players. It is not illegal for an online gambling site to operate within Australia, however these businesses can only legally offer their services to players outside of the nation’s borders.

The IGA’s original language permitted online sports betting sites, but was vague on online casinos and poker. As a result, both licensed and unlicensed iGaming operators were able to service Aussie residents for over 15 years. However, things are about to change with the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill of 2016 ready to be signed into law. The amendment seeks to clear the air with iGaming and will effectively block all online casino and poker brands. The bill offers no avenue for interested operators to apply for proper credentials that would allow them to legally enter the market (hopefully the government will address this in the future).

Some online poker brands have already pulled out of the Aussie market before the bill even made it to the House floor. PokerStars, one of the last to remain, announced it would be withdrawing sometime in mid-September. The Australian Senate’s Environment and Communications References Committee has heard from local players, lawmakers and other stakeholders on the current status of online poker in the nation. If the pro-online poker community can prove that a legalized online poker sector would be more beneficial than the looming ban, the Committee’s report could make a significant impact. The report is due by September 21, 2017. As things stand now, this report is the only hope for iGaming in the country, as the amendment will grant the Australian government plenty of authority on enforcing online gambling brands.

Australian Gambling Law FAQ’s

Is it legal for Aussie players to participate in online gambling?

Due to new legislation, online casino gambling and online poker is not available either domestically or from licensed offshore destinations. Online sports betting, bingo and lottery games are still permitted as long as the destination at which you are betting is licensed and regulated. Once the new bill becomes law, these restrictions will be official. While we hate to be the bearer of bad news, the purpose of our guide legal gambling Australia is to provide accurate and up to date information to Australian citizens seeking information about gambling entertainment.

Who regulates gambling in Australia?

For the most part, individual states and territories within Australia are responsible for regulatory oversight of the industry for their region. The exception is online gambling, a gaming venue that is subject to the Interactive Gambling Act and the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill of 2016. These laws were passed and are regulated by the Commonwealth of Australia, meaning that it is a piece of legislation that spans the entire country.

Can I play in AUD dollars?

Most of the legal gambling sites accepting Australian players also accept AUD currency for transactions. This will include both deposits and payouts. Should a gambling site you visit not conduct business in AUD, they likely have a conversion mechanism in place so that you can still deposit using the Australian Dollar, or access to a deposit method that takes care of the currency conversion for you.

What types of online gambling can Australian players legally participate in?

Aussie players are able to legally engage in a variety of online gambling platforms. There are a few exceptions to the IGA and the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill, including sports betting, bingo and lottery purchases. This means that Australian based gambling sites and licensed offshore gambling sites are allowed to offer these types of gambling options to Aussie residents. When it comes to casino games such as slots and pokies, or poker games for real money, players can no longer legally access offshore online casinos or poker sites.

Is Private Gambling Legal In Australia

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The recommended gambling sites in this guide are all legally licensed, regulated and accept Australian players. They have also all been vetted by our analysts and are among the leading gambling destinations on the Internet, delivering a high quality betting experience and exceptional bonus offers. However, we feel compelled to tell you that while the government may lack the ability to track and/or enforce the new law, the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill does make it illegal to gamble for real money at offshore online casinos and poker sites. Therefore, if you choose to still engage in offshore online gambling once the bill becomes law, you are risking being in violation of Australia’s gambling laws.