Are online casinos legal in Australia in 2025
1) Legal basis
In 2025, the legal regulation of online casinos in Australia continues to be determined by the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA), as amended in 2017 and 2019. The Act expressly prohibits the provision of online casino services to players based in Australia unless the operator is Australian licensed. The ban includes:
2) Licensing and geographical restrictions
Australian regulators (state and territorial) do not issue licenses for online casinos in a classic form - only for bets, lotteries and some other formats.
Any operator offering online casino games to Australian users without a licence is breaking the law.
Exception: offshore casinos that work with Australians but do not have official permission are considered illegal and can be blocked by ACMA.
3) The role of ACMA in 2025
The Australian Communications and Media Authority is actively blocking illegal sites.
From 2017 to January 2025, hundreds of online casinos targeting Australian gamblers have been blocked.
ACMA maintains a public register of banned domains and regularly updates the list.
Operators who violate the IGA receive cease-and-desist orders.
4) What is allowed in 2025
While classic online casinos are banned, Australian players can legally participate in:
5) Responsibility of players and operators
Fines and blockages primarily concern operators, but players using illegal platforms risk losing funds without the possibility of legal protection.
The ACMA warns that refunds from unlicensed sites are almost impossible.
6) Why online casinos remain outlawed
Reasons for the ban include:
7) Total for 2025
In Australia, in 2025, online casinos in a classic form remain illegal if they do not have a license from local regulators (and such licenses are not actually issued). Players are encouraged to use only licensed betting, lottery and fantasy sports sites, checking through the ACMA registry to avoid financial losses and blockages.
In 2025, the legal regulation of online casinos in Australia continues to be determined by the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA), as amended in 2017 and 2019. The Act expressly prohibits the provision of online casino services to players based in Australia unless the operator is Australian licensed. The ban includes:
- Video slots;
- Online roulette, blackjack, baccarat and other board games;
- Online poker (except for certain exceptions).
2) Licensing and geographical restrictions
Australian regulators (state and territorial) do not issue licenses for online casinos in a classic form - only for bets, lotteries and some other formats.
Any operator offering online casino games to Australian users without a licence is breaking the law.
Exception: offshore casinos that work with Australians but do not have official permission are considered illegal and can be blocked by ACMA.
3) The role of ACMA in 2025
The Australian Communications and Media Authority is actively blocking illegal sites.
From 2017 to January 2025, hundreds of online casinos targeting Australian gamblers have been blocked.
ACMA maintains a public register of banned domains and regularly updates the list.
Operators who violate the IGA receive cease-and-desist orders.
4) What is allowed in 2025
While classic online casinos are banned, Australian players can legally participate in:
- Sports and horse racing betting - through licensed bookmakers;
- Lotteries and keno - with a state license;
- Fantasy sports - regulated at the state level;
- Land casinos - when visiting physically;
- Legal live games in rare cases if the operator has received a separate permit (more often for lottery and sports formats).
5) Responsibility of players and operators
Fines and blockages primarily concern operators, but players using illegal platforms risk losing funds without the possibility of legal protection.
The ACMA warns that refunds from unlicensed sites are almost impossible.
6) Why online casinos remain outlawed
Reasons for the ban include:
- High risk of dependence and financial losses;
- Difficulties in controlling the honesty of games and payments;
- The need to protect vulnerable players;
- Government policy to restrict illegal gambling services.
7) Total for 2025
In Australia, in 2025, online casinos in a classic form remain illegal if they do not have a license from local regulators (and such licenses are not actually issued). Players are encouraged to use only licensed betting, lottery and fantasy sports sites, checking through the ACMA registry to avoid financial losses and blockages.
