Online sports betting - what is allowed and what is not
1) Legislative framework
Online sports betting in Australia is regulated by the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA), and control and supervision of operators is carried out by:
2) What is allowed
In Australia, online sports betting is legal subject to two conditions:
Legal species include:
3) What is prohibited
Even if licensed in Australia, the operator is not entitled to offer:
Exception: live bets can be placed by phone or in person at the betting point.
Betting on illegal events - matches or tournaments not recognized by official sports organizations.
Bets that violate state and territory laws, including bans on certain types of market (for example, on the "next point winner" in tennis).
4) Operator's license
Legal betting sites in Australia always indicate the license number and the authority that issued it.
Most large online bookmakers are licensed in the Northern Territory (Northern Territory Racing Commission), as there are the most flexible business conditions.
Players are advised to check licence details on the regulator's website and avoid offshore platforms without Australian permission.
5) Liability for participation in illegal bets
Although the main responsibility lies with the operator, a player who systematically uses prohibited platforms risks:
6) Alternatives to prohibited formats
Instead of live betting online, Australian players can:
Conclusion:
Online sports betting in Australia is regulated by the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA), and control and supervision of operators is carried out by:
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) - monitors the compliance of sites with the law and blocks illegal platforms.
- Licensing authorities of states and territories - issue licenses to bookmakers (for example, Northern Territory Racing Commission, Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation).
2) What is allowed
In Australia, online sports betting is legal subject to two conditions:
- 1. The operator has an Australian license (state or territory).
- 2. Rates are accepted in the permitted formats established by law.
Legal species include:
- Pre-match betting - bets made before the event.
- Bets on the future (futures) - for example, the winner of the championship before the start of the season.
- Express trains and ordinars within the permitted sports and events.
- Sweepstakes and fixed odds on horse racing and dog racing.
3) What is prohibited
Even if licensed in Australia, the operator is not entitled to offer:
- Live betting (in-play betting) via the Internet - betting during a match in real time.
Exception: live bets can be placed by phone or in person at the betting point.
Betting on illegal events - matches or tournaments not recognized by official sports organizations.
Bets that violate state and territory laws, including bans on certain types of market (for example, on the "next point winner" in tennis).
4) Operator's license
Legal betting sites in Australia always indicate the license number and the authority that issued it.
Most large online bookmakers are licensed in the Northern Territory (Northern Territory Racing Commission), as there are the most flexible business conditions.
Players are advised to check licence details on the regulator's website and avoid offshore platforms without Australian permission.
5) Liability for participation in illegal bets
Although the main responsibility lies with the operator, a player who systematically uses prohibited platforms risks:
- lose the winnings due to the impossibility of recovery through the courts;
- come under investigation in case of violation of other laws (for example, anti-money laundering).
6) Alternatives to prohibited formats
Instead of live betting online, Australian players can:
- use pre-match bets with expanded markets;
- conclude live rates by phone through a legal operator;
- playing tote at races and dog races.
Conclusion:
- Online sports betting in Australia is allowed only in strictly defined formats and through licensed operators. Pre-match bets and bets for the future are legal. Live betting on the Internet is prohibited, but available by phone or offline. It's important for punters to check a bookmaker's licence and avoid offshore sites to save money and comply with the law.
