Can operators get an online casino licence in Queensland
In Queensland, obtaining an online casino license in the traditional sense is not possible due to Australian federal law restrictions.
Legal regulation
At the federal level, the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) * is in effect, which prohibits the provision of interactive casino games (poker, roulette, slots) to Australian players via the Internet, regardless of the operator's place of registration. There are no exceptions.
At the Queensland state level, Casino Control Act 1982 and Wagering Act 1998 *, which govern land-based casinos and sports betting, but do not provide for the issuance of licenses for online casinos serving players within Australia.
What is allowed to be licensed in Queensland:
What is prohibited to license:
Regulatory authorities:
Responsibility of operators:
Conclusion:
Legal regulation
At the federal level, the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) * is in effect, which prohibits the provision of interactive casino games (poker, roulette, slots) to Australian players via the Internet, regardless of the operator's place of registration. There are no exceptions.
At the Queensland state level, Casino Control Act 1982 and Wagering Act 1998 *, which govern land-based casinos and sports betting, but do not provide for the issuance of licenses for online casinos serving players within Australia.
What is allowed to be licensed in Queensland:
- Online sports betting (via licensed operators).
- Online betting and horse racing betting.
- Interactive gaming products for foreign markets (B2B model), provided they are not available to players in Australia.
What is prohibited to license:
- Online casinos offering slots, board games or live games for Australian users.
- Any form of interactive gambling that falls under the IGA ban, except for permitted exceptions (for example, lotteries and certain sports bets).
Regulatory authorities:
- Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) is the licensing and control of gambling in Queensland.
- Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) - oversight of IGA compliance, blocking illegal sites and suppressing the activities of offshore operators.
Responsibility of operators:
- Providing prohibited online casino services to players in Queensland carries fines, criminal charges and domain blocking.
- ACMA actively interacts with Internet providers and payment systems to restrict the operation of illegal platforms.
Conclusion:
- In Queensland, operators cannot obtain a licence for an online casino catering to local gamblers. It is possible only to work in the segment of online betting and lotteries or to provide games to foreign markets. The legal launch of online casinos for Australian residents is not possible due to an outright ban at the federal level.
