How casino regulation has changed in Australia over the past 5 years

1. General dynamics of changes

Over the past 5 years, the regulation of online gambling in Australia has become much stricter. The government and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) have strengthened oversight of operators, expanded the list of banned sites and introduced additional mechanisms to protect players.

2. Key changes in legislation

1. Expansion of blocking illegal sites (from 2020)

ACMA actively uses the mechanism of blocking domains that violate the Interactive Gambling Act (IGA).
The list includes offshore casinos without licenses allowing work with players from Australia.

2. Tightening license requirements

Increased standards for KYC and AML procedures.
Mandatory verification of age and identity before the first withdrawal.

3. Introduction of advertising restrictions (2021-2023)

Ban on aggressive marketing and targeting of vulnerable categories of citizens.
Mandatory warnings about addiction risks in all advertising materials.

4. Strengthening the tools of responsible play

Ability to set limits on deposits, losses and session time.
BetStop National Self-Exclusion System, launched in 2023

5. Regulation of local payment methods

Enhanced control over transfers to offshore accounts.
Promoting secure and traceable payment methods (POLi, PayID, bank transfers).

3. Impact on players

It is easier to distinguish between licensed and illegal casinos.
Increased transparency of the terms of bonuses and payments.
There are new options for controlling your own game and protecting against addiction.

4. Impact on operators

The need to strictly comply with the requirements of ACMA and IGA.
Increased costs for licensing, auditing, and data security.
Increased competition among regulated operators due to the withdrawal of illegal sites from the market.

5. Result

From 2020 to 2025, casino regulation in Australia has gone from limited control to a comprehensive system of player protection. Today, licensed sites are required to meet strict standards of safety, honesty and responsibility, which makes playing in such casinos more predictable and secure for Australians.