Interactive Gambling Act (IGA): what is allowed and what is not
* Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) is Australia's primary federal law governing the provision of and access to online gambling services. It determines what types of online gambling are allowed, who has the right to offer them and what actions are considered a violation.
1. IGA Objectives and Scope
Protecting consumers from unscrupulous operators.
Preventing the illegal provision of gambling services in Australia.
Regulation of gambling advertising and marketing.
The law applies to all operators offering services to Australian residents, regardless of where the company is registered.
2. What is allowed
Online sports betting and horse racing from licensed Australian bookmakers.
Lotteries and online scratch cards, if licensed.
Bingo if authorized.
Playing in legal offline casinos (not online) under state laws.
Pre-match betting on licensed platforms.
3. What is prohibited
Online casinos with real money games (slots, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, poker) for Australian players - even if the operator is licensed abroad.
Interactive games in real time - live casino and live poker.
Live/in-play bets on online sporting events (available only by phone or in person).
Providing gambling services without an Australian licence to residents of the country.
Advertising of unlicensed operators in any form (online, TV, radio, print media).
4. IGA Liability
For operators - fines of millions of dollars, blocking domains and payment channels, a ban on activities in Australia.
For advertisers - administrative and financial sanctions for promoting illegal services.
For players, there is no direct punishment, but they lose legal protection and may lose funds.
5. Role of ACMA in IGA
Market monitoring and identification of violators.
Keeping a list of prohibited sites and sending it to Internet providers for blocking.
Engaging with international regulators to restrict access to illegal services.
6. Value for offshore casinos
Even with a Curaçao, MGA, UKGC or other overseas jurisdiction licence, providing online casino games to Australians is considered a violation.
ACMA regularly blocks offshore sites that fall under the IGA ban.
Conclusion:
1. IGA Objectives and Scope
Protecting consumers from unscrupulous operators.
Preventing the illegal provision of gambling services in Australia.
Regulation of gambling advertising and marketing.
The law applies to all operators offering services to Australian residents, regardless of where the company is registered.
2. What is allowed
Online sports betting and horse racing from licensed Australian bookmakers.
Lotteries and online scratch cards, if licensed.
Bingo if authorized.
Playing in legal offline casinos (not online) under state laws.
Pre-match betting on licensed platforms.
3. What is prohibited
Online casinos with real money games (slots, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, poker) for Australian players - even if the operator is licensed abroad.
Interactive games in real time - live casino and live poker.
Live/in-play bets on online sporting events (available only by phone or in person).
Providing gambling services without an Australian licence to residents of the country.
Advertising of unlicensed operators in any form (online, TV, radio, print media).
4. IGA Liability
For operators - fines of millions of dollars, blocking domains and payment channels, a ban on activities in Australia.
For advertisers - administrative and financial sanctions for promoting illegal services.
For players, there is no direct punishment, but they lose legal protection and may lose funds.
5. Role of ACMA in IGA
Market monitoring and identification of violators.
Keeping a list of prohibited sites and sending it to Internet providers for blocking.
Engaging with international regulators to restrict access to illegal services.
6. Value for offshore casinos
Even with a Curaçao, MGA, UKGC or other overseas jurisdiction licence, providing online casino games to Australians is considered a violation.
ACMA regularly blocks offshore sites that fall under the IGA ban.
Conclusion:
- The IGA is a strict law that effectively bans online casinos for Australian gamblers, allowing only limited forms of online gambling. It is important for players to understand that even if an offshore platform accepts Australians, it operates outside the country's legal framework, and any disputes will have to be resolved in foreign jurisdiction.
