Whether online casinos are allowed in Australia - legislation debrief
1) Legal framework
The basic law governing online gambling in Australia is the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA).
The law targets operators, not players.
The main goal is to protect citizens from unscrupulous operators and control gambling services on the Internet.
2) What is forbidden to operators
Organize online casinos from Australia without a special license.
Provide Australians with access to interactive gambling, including poker and slots, unless permitted by law.
Advertise unlicensed gambling products in the country.
3) What players are allowed
Participate in gambling on foreign licensed platforms.
Place sports and horse racing bets through licensed Australian bookmakers.
Participate in public and private lotteries permitted by law.
4) Роль ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority)
Monitors compliance with IGA.
Blocks sites of operators that violate the law.
Maintains a register of banned sites available to the public.
May require payment systems to block transactions to illegal platforms.
5) Features for Australian players
Players are not responsible for participating in foreign licensed online casinos.
The choice of operator jurisdiction directly affects the security of deposits and the ability to receive winnings.
Some banks may refuse transfers to the addresses of operators blacklisted by ACMA.
6) Risks of playing on illegal sites
No guarantee of payments.
Possible hidden constraints in rules.
Inability to file a complaint with a reliable regulator.
Risk of account blocking or winning.
7) Case study
In 2024, ACMA blocked more than 150 sites of illegal operators. Players who had active deposits on these platforms lost access to their funds. Those who played on licensed foreign platforms (MGA, Curacao, Isle of Man) retained access to the accounts and received their winnings.
8) Australia safe play checklist
Check the jurisdiction and license of the operator.
Verify that the site is not on the ACMA list.
Use reliable payment methods.
Review withdrawal terms prior to deposit.
Bottom line: in Australia, domestic online casinos are banned in most cases, but players can legally use the services of licensed overseas operators. Choosing the right platform with a proven license is the key to playing a safe and stable game without the risk of breaking the law.
The basic law governing online gambling in Australia is the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA).
The law targets operators, not players.
The main goal is to protect citizens from unscrupulous operators and control gambling services on the Internet.
2) What is forbidden to operators
Organize online casinos from Australia without a special license.
Provide Australians with access to interactive gambling, including poker and slots, unless permitted by law.
Advertise unlicensed gambling products in the country.
3) What players are allowed
Participate in gambling on foreign licensed platforms.
Place sports and horse racing bets through licensed Australian bookmakers.
Participate in public and private lotteries permitted by law.
4) Роль ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority)
Monitors compliance with IGA.
Blocks sites of operators that violate the law.
Maintains a register of banned sites available to the public.
May require payment systems to block transactions to illegal platforms.
5) Features for Australian players
Players are not responsible for participating in foreign licensed online casinos.
The choice of operator jurisdiction directly affects the security of deposits and the ability to receive winnings.
Some banks may refuse transfers to the addresses of operators blacklisted by ACMA.
6) Risks of playing on illegal sites
No guarantee of payments.
Possible hidden constraints in rules.
Inability to file a complaint with a reliable regulator.
Risk of account blocking or winning.
7) Case study
In 2024, ACMA blocked more than 150 sites of illegal operators. Players who had active deposits on these platforms lost access to their funds. Those who played on licensed foreign platforms (MGA, Curacao, Isle of Man) retained access to the accounts and received their winnings.
8) Australia safe play checklist
Check the jurisdiction and license of the operator.
Verify that the site is not on the ACMA list.
Use reliable payment methods.
Review withdrawal terms prior to deposit.
Bottom line: in Australia, domestic online casinos are banned in most cases, but players can legally use the services of licensed overseas operators. Choosing the right platform with a proven license is the key to playing a safe and stable game without the risk of breaking the law.
