Legality of online gambling in Australia in 2025
1. Basic law governing online gambling
In 2025, online casinos and other forms of interactive gambling in Australia are regulated by the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA), as amended. The law prohibits the provision of most types of online gambling to Australians without an appropriate license and defines measures to control operators.
IGA:
2. What is allowed
Online sports betting through licensed operators (including live betting only in a limited format).
Online lotteries and sweepstakes licensed in individual states.
Poker and casino games, if they are available only to players from countries where it is allowed, but not to Australians (the exception is under special licenses issued by the regions).
State or territory licensed gaming platforms serving Australians under local laws (e.g. Northern Territory Racing Commission licences).
3. What is prohibited
Online casinos offering slots, roulette, blackjack and other games for money without an Australian licence.
Providing access to interactive games without restriction for Australian residents.
Promotion of unlicensed sites in Australia.
Using deceptive payment schemes to circumvent the ban.
4. Role of regulators
ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) - detects and blocks illegal sites, accepts complaints from players, controls gambling advertising.
Regional Gambling Commissions (e.g. Victoria, Queensland, Northern Territory) - issue licences and enforce regulations within their jurisdictions.
International regulators (MGA, UKGC, Curacao eGaming) - license overseas platforms that can serve Australians, as long as it does not violate the IGA.
5. Responsibility of operators
Fines of up to several million dollars for violation of IGA.
Blocking domains and IP addresses.
Freezing or termination of payment channels associated with illegal platforms.
Public listing of violators available to players.
6. Implications for players
Although players are not directly fined for participating in unlicensed games, they take risks:
7. 2025 Trends
Strengthening control - ACMA expands the list of blocked sites and actively cooperates with international regulators.
The growing popularity of legal betting and lotteries is the transition of players to licensed platforms.
Development of security technologies - the introduction of systems to block VPNs and bypass methods of access to illegal casinos.
8. Result
In 2025, online gambling in Australia is only possible through licensed platforms that meet IGA requirements and are controlled by the ACMA or regional regulators. Players wishing to preserve their funds and security should choose exclusively legal and regulated sites, avoiding gray and unlicensed operators.
In 2025, online casinos and other forms of interactive gambling in Australia are regulated by the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA), as amended. The law prohibits the provision of most types of online gambling to Australians without an appropriate license and defines measures to control operators.
IGA:
- Prohibits unlicensed Australian and overseas companies from offering online casino services to Australian residents.
- Establishes fines and sanctions for violation of the rules.
- Provides for blocking illegal sites through ACMA.
2. What is allowed
Online sports betting through licensed operators (including live betting only in a limited format).
Online lotteries and sweepstakes licensed in individual states.
Poker and casino games, if they are available only to players from countries where it is allowed, but not to Australians (the exception is under special licenses issued by the regions).
State or territory licensed gaming platforms serving Australians under local laws (e.g. Northern Territory Racing Commission licences).
3. What is prohibited
Online casinos offering slots, roulette, blackjack and other games for money without an Australian licence.
Providing access to interactive games without restriction for Australian residents.
Promotion of unlicensed sites in Australia.
Using deceptive payment schemes to circumvent the ban.
4. Role of regulators
ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) - detects and blocks illegal sites, accepts complaints from players, controls gambling advertising.
Regional Gambling Commissions (e.g. Victoria, Queensland, Northern Territory) - issue licences and enforce regulations within their jurisdictions.
International regulators (MGA, UKGC, Curacao eGaming) - license overseas platforms that can serve Australians, as long as it does not violate the IGA.
5. Responsibility of operators
Fines of up to several million dollars for violation of IGA.
Blocking domains and IP addresses.
Freezing or termination of payment channels associated with illegal platforms.
Public listing of violators available to players.
6. Implications for players
Although players are not directly fined for participating in unlicensed games, they take risks:
- Lose access to funds when the site is blocked.
- Face non-payment of winnings.
- Become a victim of data theft or financial fraud.
7. 2025 Trends
Strengthening control - ACMA expands the list of blocked sites and actively cooperates with international regulators.
The growing popularity of legal betting and lotteries is the transition of players to licensed platforms.
Development of security technologies - the introduction of systems to block VPNs and bypass methods of access to illegal casinos.
8. Result
In 2025, online gambling in Australia is only possible through licensed platforms that meet IGA requirements and are controlled by the ACMA or regional regulators. Players wishing to preserve their funds and security should choose exclusively legal and regulated sites, avoiding gray and unlicensed operators.
