Legal status of mobile applications with slots

Legal status of mobile applications with slots (Australia)

Current on: 11 August 2025

Short conclusion

Real money (online casinos/slots): It is illegal to offer Australians under the federal Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA). The law also applies to applications; ACMA investigates, fines, seeks blocks.
"Social casinos" (no withdrawals): do not fall under the IGA, but under Australian gaming classification must have R18 +; however, illegal gambling services cannot be promoted.
App stores allow gambling applications only with strict observance of local law:

• Apple - needs a license in use jurisdictions, mandatory geo-restriction and free distribution; IAPs are prohibited for buying loans for real-money gaming.
• Google Play - RMG applications are allowed in countries on the list (including Australia), but only for licensed operators, with geo-blocking, age restrictions, without Play Billing; there is an admission process and frequent violations (for example, a simulated casino that leads to a real-money casino).

Legal framework: why the "application" does not save

IGA applies to gambling services provided via the Internet "including the app." Prohibited categories include online casinos/slots (games of chance/me chance + cash/property prize). The delivery channel (site, application, broadcast, phone) does not matter.
ACMA (communications regulator) conducts investigations, publishes quarterly reports, requires providers to block illegal services and suppresses advertising of prohibited services.

What app stores allow (and on what terms)

Apple App Store

Guideline 5. 3. 4: Real money applications (sports betting, poker, casino/slots) must have the necessary licenses at the places of use, be geo-limited and free in the App Store.
5. 3. 3: It is forbidden to use In-App Purchase to buy credits/currency applicable to real-money gaming.

Google Play

RMG applications are allowed in a number of countries, including Australia, but only within the framework of local law and after passing the admission procedure; licenses, geo-blocking and age restrictions are required.
Typical violations leading to removal: For example, simulated casinos that promote or direct users to real-money casinos.

"Social casinos" vs gambling for money

Social casinos (no withdrawal of money/prizes with value) are not a "gambling service" under IGA, so ACMA does not regulate them as gambling services.
From 2024/25, there is a minimum R18 + classification for games with simulated excitement; loot boxes - minimum M. These are age restrictions on content, not a permit for gambling.
Even social casinos are not entitled to advertise prohibited gambling services for Australians (ban on publishing designated interactive gambling service advertisements in IGA + Google/Apple rules).

Australian bookmakers apps (not casinos)

Interactive bets are allowed for operators with an Australian license (these are not slots/casinos). Verification - in the register of licensed interactive operators on the ACMA website.
Violations (including the offer of prohibited products) lead to investigations, warnings and blockages.

Risks and surveillance practices

ACMA regularly publishes news and reports on locks/violations; in 2025, blocking continues in series (Crown Slots, Billy Billion, etc.).
Offshore casinos and their affiliates are constantly replenishing the "black list"; advertising of such services in applications is also pursued.

Checklist: How to quickly figure out if a slot app is legal

1. Product type. If it is slots/roulette/poker for real money → it is illegal for Australians regardless of format (site/app).
2. Licenses and geo. In the App Store/Google Play, legitimate RMG applications are only available in jurisdictions with a license and geo-restriction. For Australia, it's about betting, not casino/slots.
3. "Social Casino." No cashout = not IGA. But check the age tag (R18 +) and the lack of real-money casino promotion.
4. Checking betting operator. If the application is about bets, check the brand in the ACMA register. Not in the register - a reason to consider the service illegal for an audience in Australia.
5. Violation signals in the application description. References to "casino," "pokies," "real money slots," links/banners to offshore casinos, an offer to buy loans through IAP - signs of violation of Apple/Google and (or) IGA rules.

Conclusion

Applications with slots for real money for Australian users are illegal (these are "prohibited interactive gambling services"), regardless of whether it is a site or a mobile application.
Social casinos are legally separate (no withdrawal of money), but must have R18 + and cannot promote illegal services.
App stores strengthen filters: Apple requires licenses and geo-restrictions and bans IAPs for RMG; Google Play allows RMG only in authorized countries (including Australia) and only for licensed operators, with strict conditions and checks.