However, the act also prevents advertising real money interactive gambling to Australian players and any Aussie operator caught doing so will receive a penalty of up to $220,000 per day. In the meantime, Australian residents interested in participating in online casinos and pokies should exercise caution and thoroughly research any offshore gambling websites they choose to use. By doing so, they can minimize potential risks and ensure a www.nsw.gov.au safe and enjoyable online gambling experience. In the USA, there was new gambling legislation passed in 2006 which targeted banks instead of the online casino operators. This law made it illegal for financial institutions to process any transactions to or from online casino sites. This made it much more difficult for players to deposit or withdraw money, and it helped decrease online gambling in the USA.
Criminal Law
This offence also carries a maximum penalty of 5000 penalty units, applicable each day the unlawful service is provided. State and territory laws complement the federal framework by regulating authorised online gambling services within their jurisdictions. You can complain to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) if you find believe an online website is offering illegal gambling services. Bonuses and promotions also play a significant role in attracting players to online casinos.
Why Are Online Casinos Banned in Australia? (2025 Guide)
In recent years, there have been some calls for the Australian government to reevaluate the IGA and potentially introduce new legislation that allows for the regulation and licensing of online casinos and pokies. However, as of now, there has been no concrete proposal or timeline for such changes. As a result, it is crucial for Australian gamblers to thoroughly research any offshore online casino or pokies before signing up and using their services. However, it is essential to note that the IGA targets the operators of online gambling services rather than the individuals who participate in them.
The accessibility and anonymity of online gambling raised another key concern – underage gambling. Rules around children’s access to computers, smartphones and the internet are not the same across different households. Where minors have access to the internet (with or without their guardian’s https://asino.pro/vip consent and supervision), online gambling could lure them to addiction and the resulting harm.
And to its credit, it was one of the first countries that moved to create a legal framework governing online casinos. Yes, online sports betting is legal with gambling operators that are licensed and regulated in Australia. Online in-play sports betting markets are considered illegal and banned, but are legal and available via phone or at land-based venues within Australia. This is a great question, since physical casinos are perfectly legal, and lotteries and online betting on sports is legal.
There is also the issue of potential tax revenue that the Australian government could collect if online gambling services were legalized and regulated. The main federal legislature is the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001, passed by the Australian Commonwealth Parliament. This essentially made it illegal for online gambling operators to offer or advertise “real money” gambling services to Australian citizens, such as online casinos and online poker. The Australian gambling landscape is complex, with each state and territory having jurisdiction over gambling regulations. However, there is overarching federal legislation – the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) – that sets the foundation for online gambling across the country. The IGA was introduced to protect Australian residents from the potential harms of interactive gambling services, including online casinos and pokies.
The law changed in 2017 to combat groups from outside Australia that provide illegal gambling services over the internet. As we mentioned at the top of this article, millions of Australians gamble at online casinos, despite them being banned from operating or advertising there, alongside being unregulated and unlicensed. At the federal level, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is responsible for licensing and regulation, plus enforcement of laws established by the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 and subsequent amendments.
