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UKIs Online Gambling Legal In Australia? (2025 Legal Guide)
Online gambling is legal in Australia, but only in certain forms. While sports betting and horse racing are permitted online through licensed providers, online casino games like pokies, blackjack, and roulette are banned under federal law. These restrictions are set by the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 and are enforced by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
This guide breaks down Australia’s online gambling laws, how they differ by state and territory, and what players need to know in 2025.
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Who Regulates Gambling In Australia?
Australia’s gambling system is shared between the federal government and the states and territories:
Every region follows the same general rules but can impose specific limits on bet sizes, payout methods, and gambling machine availability.
What Is The Interactive Gambling Act?
Passed in 2001, the Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) sets strict limits on what types of gambling can be offered online in Australia. It prohibits:
These rules apply to operators, not individual players. Australians are not punished for accessing offshore gambling sites, but those sites are considered illegal under the IGA.
What Types of Online Gambling Are Legal in Australia?
Here’s a simplified view of what’s allowed and what’s prohibited online in Australia:
| Activity | Legal in Australia? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ✅ Online sports betting | Yes | Licensed providers only |
| ✅ Online horse racing betting | Yes | Includes fixed-odds and pari-mutuel |
| ✅ Online daily fantasy sports | Yes | Through licensed sportsbooks |
| ✅ Online lottery ticket sales | Partially | Draw tickets only (no instant win) |
| ❌ Online casino games | No | Includes pokies, blackjack, roulette |
| ❌ Online poker | No | Also classed as interactive gambling |
| ❌ In-play online betting | No | Only allowed via phone or in person |
What Is The Legal Gambling Age in Australia?
The legal gambling age is 18 years old across all states and territories. This applies to:
Is Online Casino Gambling Enforced?
Yes, but the enforcement targets providers, not players. The ACMA blocks illegal gambling websites and issues takedown notices and financial penalties to operators who break the law.
Since 2017, over 800 offshore gambling sites have been blocked by the ACMA for violating the Interactive Gambling Act. Players who choose to use offshore sites do so at their own risk, as these sites are not protected under Australian law.
Offshore Gambling Sites In Australia
Many Australians access offshore gambling sites, especially online casinos that offer pokies, roulette, blackjack, and poker, all games that are banned for licensed providers in Australia under the Interactive Gambling Act.
There are no laws in Australia that criminalize individuals for accessing or using offshore gambling websites. This means Australians can legally play on international casino sites, even if those sites are operating without a license in Australia.
How Is Gambling Taxed in Australia?
Players do not pay tax on gambling winnings in Australia. Whether you win through a sports bet, horse race, or lottery draw, your earnings are tax-free.
This is because gambling is considered a form of entertainment, not a profession, for most Australians. Taxes are instead collected from gambling operators in the form of licensing fees and duties paid to the states and territories.
Australia’s Gambling Laws By State And Territory
Each Australian state and territory has its own gambling regulator and slightly different rules for land-based casinos, pokies, and licensing.
| ACT | ACT Gambling & Racing Commission | Online Betting Licensed? | Pokies in Pubs/Clubs? |
|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Liquor & Gaming NSW | Yes | Yes |
| Northern Territory | Dept. of Industry, Tourism & Trade | Yes (many operators) | Yes |
| Queensland | Office of Liquor & Gaming Regulation | Yes | Yes |
| South Australia | Consumer & Business Services SA | Yes | Yes (coin-only) |
| Tasmania | Dept. of Treasury & Finance | Yes | Yes (coin-only) |
| Victoria | Victorian Gambling & Casino Control Commission | Yes | Yes |
| Western Australia | Dept. of Local Government, Sport & Cultural Industries | Yes | ❌ Casino-only |
Additional Rules That Vary By Region
While gambling laws across Australian states and territories share many similarities, there are also region-specific rules that affect how players can use pokie machines and other gambling services. Here are some of the key differences you’ll find across regions:
These additional controls vary by jurisdiction but all aim to balance access with player protection. Before gambling in any state or territory, it’s worth checking the local regulator’s site for the most up-to-date limits and policies.
Timeline Of Key Australian Gambling Law Changes
| Year | What Happened | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1913 | George Julius invents the totalisator (automated betting machine for horse racing). | Australia becomes a global pioneer in betting technology, helping formalize racing wagers. |
| 1956 | Poker machines (pokies) are legalized in New South Wales. | Marks the beginning of widespread pokie use in pubs and clubs across most of Australia. |
| 1973 | The first legal casino opens in Hobart, Tasmania (Wrest Point Casino). | Legal casino gaming begins in Australia, setting the foundation for other states to follow. |
| 1985 | TAB betting expands, and state-run betting agencies like TABCorp become major operators. | Regulated sports and race betting becomes widely accessible at retail locations. |
| 1996 | The Northern Territory legalizes online sports betting, becoming the licensing hub for many online sportsbooks. | Online betting begins under strict regulation, with NT becoming home to major Australian betting brands. |
| 2001 | The Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) passes at the federal level. | Bans online casino games and in-play sports betting. Establishes consumer protection and enforcement powers. |
| 2017 | The ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) begins enforcing the IGA. | ACMA is empowered to block illegal offshore gambling sites and penalize unlicensed operators. |
| 2018 | New laws ban gambling inducements (like welcome bonuses) in New South Wales. TV gambling ads are also restricted. | Player protection becomes a stronger focus; promotions targeting vulnerable players are reduced. |
| 2020–2022 | ACMA ramps up action: over 800 websites blocked, many operators warned. | Shows the government is serious about cleaning up illegal online gambling access. |
| Present Day (2025) | Online sports betting remains legal through Australian-licensed providers. Online casino games remain banned, but debates about reform continue. | Australia maintains a controlled approach to online gambling, prioritizing harm minimization over market expansion. |
What’s Legal in Australia And What’s Not?
Australia allows online gambling in limited forms. If you’re using a locally licensed provider, you can legally bet on:
However, online casino games, poker, and in-play betting are banned under federal law. These rules are enforced by ACMA and aim to protect consumers by restricting high-risk gambling activity.
Players aren’t penalized for using offshore sites, but they’re advised to stick with licensed Australian operators for better security and legal protection.
FAQs About Online Gambling Laws in Australia
Yes, but they are not licensed in Australia. Players are not prosecuted, but the government recommends avoiding them.
No. Gambling winnings are not subject to tax in Australia.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority enforces online gambling laws, investigates illegal websites, and blocks access to banned platforms.
Not online. You can place in-play bets over the phone or at a retail betting outlet, but not through a website or app.
Yes. The Australian Government’s Department of Social Services offers gambling help for players and their families and friends. There are also financial counselling services.
— Gambling help online – www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
— National Gambling Helpline – 1800 858 858
Instead of dedicated DFS websites, Aussie punters can participate in Daily Fantasy Sports through Australia’s licensed online bookmakers.