Prediction: Will online slots be legalised in Australia
At the time of 2025, online slots for real money remain prohibited for Australian operators in accordance with the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA). Legalization is possible only with changes in federal legislation, and this process directly depends on political will, public opinion and economic feasibility.
1. Political context
The federal government maintains a tough stance on online gambling, with an emphasis on consumer protection.
States and territories have limited influence, as the key prohibition is enshrined in federal law.
The debate on legalization is underway, but there is no significant support in parliament yet.
2. Economic arguments
For legalization:
Against:
3. Social factors
Public consumer protection organizations oppose legalization, pointing to the risks of ludomania.
Research shows that online slots are high-dependency types of gambling.
Pressure on politicians from anti-poker and anti-gambling initiatives remains high.
4. International experience
Great Britain, Malta, Canada - examples of countries where online slots are legalized and regulated with an emphasis on responsible gambling.
Australian authorities are studying the experience of these jurisdictions, but note a difference in market size and social structure.
5. Short-term forecast (2025-2026)
The likelihood of legalization is low: the government is focused on combating offshore sites and increasing blocking.
Test pilots in individual states are possible, but only for a limited number of players.
6. Long-term forecast (2027 onwards)
Legalization is possible in the case of:
Final conclusion
In 2025, the legalization of online slots in Australia remains unlikely. The main priorities of the authorities are consumer protection, control over offshore operators and minimizing social risks. In the long term, change is possible, but only when the balance of political, economic and social factors changes.
1. Political context
The federal government maintains a tough stance on online gambling, with an emphasis on consumer protection.
States and territories have limited influence, as the key prohibition is enshrined in federal law.
The debate on legalization is underway, but there is no significant support in parliament yet.
2. Economic arguments
For legalization:
- Opportunity to increase tax revenues through licensing.
- Creation of jobs in IT, marketing and maintenance of gambling platforms.
- Redirecting traffic from offshore operators to licensed Australian ones.
Against:
- The risk of an increase in the number of problem gamblers.
- Market control and regulation costs.
- Political costs to liberalisation advocates.
3. Social factors
Public consumer protection organizations oppose legalization, pointing to the risks of ludomania.
Research shows that online slots are high-dependency types of gambling.
Pressure on politicians from anti-poker and anti-gambling initiatives remains high.
4. International experience
Great Britain, Malta, Canada - examples of countries where online slots are legalized and regulated with an emphasis on responsible gambling.
Australian authorities are studying the experience of these jurisdictions, but note a difference in market size and social structure.
5. Short-term forecast (2025-2026)
The likelihood of legalization is low: the government is focused on combating offshore sites and increasing blocking.
Test pilots in individual states are possible, but only for a limited number of players.
6. Long-term forecast (2027 onwards)
Legalization is possible in the case of:
- Drop in the effectiveness of blocking offshore sites.
- Mounting pressure from gambling industry lobbyists.
- Changes in public perception of gambling on the Internet.
- At the same time, even in the case of legalization, a strict licensing model is expected with betting limits, age verification and mandatory responsible play tools.
Final conclusion
In 2025, the legalization of online slots in Australia remains unlikely. The main priorities of the authorities are consumer protection, control over offshore operators and minimizing social risks. In the long term, change is possible, but only when the balance of political, economic and social factors changes.
