What * * Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) 2001 * * says
1) Main purpose and date of adoption
Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) 2001 is Australia's main federal law governing online gambling. Adopted on 28 June 2001, it established a legal framework for internet gambling to protect Australians from gambling-related harm and to restrict access to illegal online platforms.
2) What is prohibited
Online casinos, poker and other interactive games - cannot be offered or advertised to Australian residents without a licence.
Offshore operators without an Australian licence - banned from providing services to Australian players even if the servers are overseas.
Interactive gambling advertising - limited, especially in relation to minors and vulnerable groups.
3) What is allowed
Online sports betting - provided that bets are placed before the event (live betting is prohibited, except for telephone).
Betting on races and races - through licensed operators.
Lotteries, keno, sweepstakes - if there is a public or licensed private platform.
Land-based casinos and gambling establishments are regulated at the state and territory levels, and online formats are subject to the IGA.
4) Extraterritorial effect of the law
IGA applies not only to companies registered in Australia, but also to foreign operators who:
5) The role of ACMA
The Australian Communications and Media Authority is responsible for overseeing the execution of the IGA. The powers of the ACMA include:
6) Amendments and strengthening of the law
Interactive Gambling Amendment Act 2017 - closed loopholes for offshore operators, obliged all providers to obtain an Australian license.
Amendments 2019-2023 - tightened control over advertising, added mandatory KYC (identification of players), expanded the list of prohibited products.
7) Player responsibility
The IGA does not provide criminal or administrative penalties for players using illegal sites. But such players:
8) The significance of the law in 2025
In 2025, IGA remains the main document defining what can and cannot be used in online gambling in Australia. It forms the basis for the work of ACMA and other bodies, creates transparent rules for licensed operators and minimizes the influence of the illegal market.
Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) 2001 is Australia's main federal law governing online gambling. Adopted on 28 June 2001, it established a legal framework for internet gambling to protect Australians from gambling-related harm and to restrict access to illegal online platforms.
2) What is prohibited
Online casinos, poker and other interactive games - cannot be offered or advertised to Australian residents without a licence.
Offshore operators without an Australian licence - banned from providing services to Australian players even if the servers are overseas.
Interactive gambling advertising - limited, especially in relation to minors and vulnerable groups.
3) What is allowed
Online sports betting - provided that bets are placed before the event (live betting is prohibited, except for telephone).
Betting on races and races - through licensed operators.
Lotteries, keno, sweepstakes - if there is a public or licensed private platform.
Land-based casinos and gambling establishments are regulated at the state and territory levels, and online formats are subject to the IGA.
4) Extraterritorial effect of the law
IGA applies not only to companies registered in Australia, but also to foreign operators who:
- accept bets from Australians,
- are running ads targeting Australian residents,
- have payment channels that allow you to replenish accounts from the country.
5) The role of ACMA
The Australian Communications and Media Authority is responsible for overseeing the execution of the IGA. The powers of the ACMA include:
- maintaining a register of prohibited sites,
- blocking domains through ISPs,
- imposing fines on operators (up to 1.8 million AUD per violation per day),
- interaction with international regulators.
6) Amendments and strengthening of the law
Interactive Gambling Amendment Act 2017 - closed loopholes for offshore operators, obliged all providers to obtain an Australian license.
Amendments 2019-2023 - tightened control over advertising, added mandatory KYC (identification of players), expanded the list of prohibited products.
7) Player responsibility
The IGA does not provide criminal or administrative penalties for players using illegal sites. But such players:
- have no right to demand the payment of winnings through the courts,
- risk losing deposits when blocking the site,
- may face fraud without protection.
8) The significance of the law in 2025
In 2025, IGA remains the main document defining what can and cannot be used in online gambling in Australia. It forms the basis for the work of ACMA and other bodies, creates transparent rules for licensed operators and minimizes the influence of the illegal market.
