Is Online Gambling Legal in Australia? The Law Explained

Are online casinos legal for Australians?

No Australian licence authorises online casino games or online pokies for customers in Australia. Under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA), it is generally unlawful to provide these services to people in Australia. This applies whether the operator is based in Australia or overseas.

The Act's offence and civil penalty provisions are aimed at providers and advertisers. It is not generally framed as an offence for an individual to play. So the question 'can I play?' has a different answer from 'is the site allowed to offer this to me?' A site can be reachable from Australia and still be offering a prohibited service.

This matters because being 'not an offence for the player' does not mean protected. A casino holding a licence from Curaçao or another offshore jurisdiction has no Australian licence. It is outside Australian consumer protection arrangements for gambling. State and territory laws can also apply, so if your situation is specific, get advice from a qualified lawyer.

What the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 prohibits, in plain English

The IGA is the main Commonwealth law on online gambling. It separates 'prohibited interactive gambling services' from forms of online gambling that can be offered under an Australian licence.

The main prohibited categories are:

- online casino-style games, such as roulette, blackjack and baccarat played for money;

- online pokies (slot games);

- online poker;

- online scratchies and instant-win games (these differ from licensed lottery draws);

- in-play betting on sport placed through a website or app (this is distinct from betting before an event starts).

The Act also restricts advertising of prohibited services in Australia. It also covers unlicensed regulated services, meaning wagering-type products offered to Australians by an operator without an Australian licence.

In short, the law is built around the product and the operator's licence. A betting site licensed in an Australian state or territory may legally take a pre-match football bet online. Neither it nor an offshore casino may legally offer you online roulette or pokies.

Which forms of online gambling are licensed in Australia?

Licensing happens mainly at state and territory level. Federal law sets the boundaries of what can be offered online. The table below gives a general overview by product type. Always check the specific provider's licence with the relevant state or territory regulator.

What ACMA does about illegal offshore casino sites

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) enforces the IGA. Its work includes:

- investigating complaints about prohibited or unlicensed gambling services;

- issuing formal warnings and pursuing civil penalties;

- asking Australian internet service providers to block websites that offer illegal gambling to Australians.

Blocked sites often reappear under new domain names, known as mirror sites. They may also keep running through apps or social media. A site still loading in your browser therefore says nothing about whether it is legal.

ACMA publishes a list of the gambling websites it has asked internet providers to block. Checking this list is a quick first step. However, a site missing from the list is not proof that it is legal. ACMA also has a way for the public to report suspected illegal gambling services.

What protections you lose when using an offshore casino

The biggest practical difference between licensed and offshore gambling is what happens when something goes wrong. The legal label matters less day to day.

With an Australian-licensed wagering provider:

- a state or territory regulator can receive complaints about the operator;

- the operator must take part in BetStop, the national self-exclusion register;

- the operator must follow Australian rules on identity checks, marketing and payments, including the ban on using credit cards for online wagering.

With an offshore casino, none of these Australian protections apply. In practice:

- No Australian dispute resolution. If a withdrawal is refused or an account is closed, no Australian regulator can rule on the dispute. You would rely on the operator's internal process or a body in the licensing country, which may have limited powers or interest in your case.

- Difficulty recovering funds. A casino can cite a terms breach, such as bonus rules, identity checks or a disallowed payment method, and withhold a balance. Recovering money from an overseas company is usually slow and uncertain. If the site closes, your balance may simply be lost.

- No BetStop coverage. Self-excluding through BetStop does not stop offshore sites from accepting you.

- Uncertain payment protection. Your bank may decline gambling transactions. Payments through intermediaries or cryptocurrency can be hard or impossible to reverse.

For a practical checklist on judging an operator, see our guide on how to tell whether an online casino is legit. For self-exclusion and support options, see our responsible gambling guide.

How to check a gambling site before you sign up

Use these steps to tell a licensed Australian wagering service from an offshore operator. They do not replace legal advice.

1. Identify the product. If the site offers online pokies, casino tables or online poker to Australians, it is not offering a licensed Australian service.
2. For betting sites, find the licence details on the site. Then confirm them on the relevant Australian state or territory regulator's own website.
3. Check ACMA's list of blocked gambling websites. Remember that a site missing from the list is not proof it is legal.
4. Read the terms on withdrawals, identity verification and account closure before depositing. These rules decide whether you can get your money out.
5. If you need help controlling your gambling, register with BetStop for licensed wagering providers. Ask your bank about gambling transaction blocks, which can also cover offshore sites.

Disclaimer and support

This page gives general information about Australian gambling law. It is not legal advice and does not cover every individual circumstance. Laws and regulator guidance change, so check the current position on the ACMA website and the Federal Register of Legislation. For advice about your situation, speak with a qualified Australian lawyer.

Gambling is for adults aged 18 and over. If gambling is causing harm to you or someone you know, free and confidential support is available 24/7 through Gambling Help Online.