Understanding Australian online gambling laws is important for anyone researching online betting, casinos or pokies. The main federal law is the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA), which regulates gambling services offered or advertised online and by telephone.
What Is Prohibited?
The IGA makes it illegal for gambling providers to offer certain online services to people in Australia. These include online casinos, in-play sports betting and unlicensed wagering services. Prohibited services also cannot be advertised to Australians.
This means online casino-style games and online pokies are an important area to consider when researching Australian gambling regulations.
Licensed Wagering Services
Some online wagering services can legally operate when they hold the appropriate Australian licence. ACMA provides a register that consumers can use to check whether a wagering operator is licensed.
Payment Restrictions
Since 11 June 2024, credit cards, credit-linked funds and digital currencies such as cryptocurrency cannot be used for online or telephone wagering.
ACMA Enforcement
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) actively investigates illegal gambling services. During January–March 2026, ACMA completed investigations involving 60 gambling sites and identified 44 breaches of the Interactive Gambling Act.
ACMA also blocks illegal gambling websites. As of July 2026, it reported that 1,774 illegal gambling and affiliate websites had been blocked since 2019.
Final Thoughts
Australian online gambling laws can be complex, so checking current information from ACMA is important. Before using an online wagering service, verify its Australian licence and understand the applicable restrictions.
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