Are Online Casinos Legal in Australia? 5 Key Facts for 2026
Online casinos cannot be licensed or operated in Australia. Here is a plain-English breakdown of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, what it bans, who it targets, and what it means for you as a player.
8 key facts explained
7 minute read
For Australian players
1 What the Law Actually Says About Online Casinos in Australia
The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) is Australia's primary gambling law and sets the framework for the regulation of all gambling and wagering activities in the country. Section 5 of the Act bans the provision of "prohibited interactive gambling services" to Australian residents. Online casinos fall within this provision.
The IGA was updated in 2017 to improve enforcement of its provisions. The changes gave the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) the power to block illegal gambling websites, apply fines to offending companies, and refer them to the Australian Border Force to stop the illegal provision of gambling services into Australia.
The short version: No company can operate an online casino in Australia. Any provision of gambling services that are interactive in nature and that pay out real money to winners are banned. This includes games such as pokies, roulette, blackjack, baccarat and all games of chance that can be played on the internet for money.
The IGA targets the companies that license, operate and advertise interactive gambling services. It is not aimed at the individual players of those services. There have been no recorded instances where an Australian was prosecuted for gambling on an online casino site outside of Australia.
2 What Is Banned Under the Interactive Gambling Act in Australia
While the Act bans certain types of online gambling services, others are permitted. These are provided for by license to the companies that offer these services.
Banned in Australia
- Online casino games (roulette, blackjack, baccarat)
- Real-money online pokies (slots)
- Online poker for real money
- In-play sports betting (live betting)
- Scratchies (online scratch cards)
- Betting on lottery outcomes
- Unlicensed sports betting services
Allowed in Australia
- Online sports betting (licensed providers)
- Horse and greyhound race betting (licensed)
- Online lotteries (state-approved)
- Land-based casino games in person
- In-venue pokies at licensed clubs
The only exception to the general ban on online casino services is in the Northern Territory. Here, companies receive a license to provide online sports betting (including fantasy sports) to players in the NT. These licenses do not permit online casino games, however.
Note on credit cards: Since June 2024, using a credit card to gamble online has been banned in Australia. This applies to both Australian and overseas online gambling companies.
What "Interactive Gambling Service" Means
A prohibited interactive gambling service is any gambling game that is provided to users through a digital communication method (website, app, telephone) with the intention of providing a financial benefit to the participant. The law covers any gambling activity that resembles the acts of a casino. Such a definition does not depend on the origin of the gambling company.
The Act specifies online gambling companies based outside of Australia. These overseas companies are specifically mentioned in section 15 of the Act. The maximum penalty for the overseas online gambling company is 5,000 penalty units per day that it provides its gambling service to Australians.
3 Are Online Casinos Legal in Australia for Individual Players?
While the IGA makes it illegal to operate an online casino with the intention of providing gambling services to Australian residents, it does not make it a criminal offense for an Australian to access and gamble on an online casino site.
The law targets and prohibits online gambling companies, their advertisers and the internet service providers that deliver their information to consumers. As with other provisions of the Act, there have been no reported cases of an individual being prosecuted under this provision.
What Can Change Your Access
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) was given the power to require internet companies in Australia to block access to overseas online gambling websites. If these websites are blocked, Australian internet users will not be able to access these websites. Any money in those sites will be difficult to recover from those companies.
Over 220 overseas online gambling companies have chosen to leave Australia since they came under the provisions of the updated Interactive Gambling Act in 2017. Many more have been blocked by the ACMA since then.
BetStop and Self-Exclusion
BetStop is the online registry in Australia for self-exclusion from online gambling services. By self-excluding from licensed companies, Australian players can avoid the temptation to gamble online. However, only licensed online companies are included in the registry. Overseas-based online casinos are not connected to this registry.
Most online gambling companies that target overseas players offer their own self-exclusion and deposit limits tools in their website areas for their customers to use. Not all companies provide these tools, however.
4 Are Online Casinos Legal in Australia? A State-by-State View
The provision of online casino games is prohibited at the federal level. This means that all states and territories are bound by the Act in relation to online casinos. Each state manages its own land-based gambling venues and licensed wagering providers.
Each state has its own regulators of licensed wagering providers and land-based venues. Any complaints regarding licensed wagering online companies will go to the state in which the company is licensed. Any complaints regarding unlicensed services will go to the ACMA.
State-by-State Legal Status
| State / Territory | Regulator | Online Casino Games - Legal Status |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | Liquor & Gaming NSW | Not permitted for residents under federal law |
| VIC | VGCCC | Not permitted for residents under federal law |
| QLD | Office of Liquor & Gaming Regulation | Not permitted for residents under federal law |
| SA | Independent Gambling Authority | Not permitted for residents under federal law |
| WA | Gaming & Wagering Commission of WA | Not permitted for residents under federal law |
| TAS | Tasmanian Liquor & Gaming Commission | Not permitted for residents under federal law |
| NT | NT Racing & Wagering Commission | NT issues international wagering licences but federal law still prohibits online casino games to Australian residents |
| ACT | ACT Gambling & Racing Commission | Not permitted for residents under federal law |
5 Risks of Using Unlicensed Online Casino Sites in Australia
Any online gambling company based outside of Australia is outside the bounds of Australian consumer law. Something can go wrong at any online casino, no matter how licensed or reputable they may seem to be.
Our online casino comparison for Australian players covers only internationally-licensed operators reviewed for licence quality, payout reliability, and transparent terms.
5 Practical Risks to Know
- There is no consumer protection in place for online gambling companies based outside of Australia. Should a player lose their money to a company that refuses to pay out on winnings, there is no recourse within Australia. The player will have to seek the attention of the overseas regulator of that company.
- Should an online gambling site based outside of Australia be blocked by the ACMA, those players will no longer have access to those websites. Also, their money in those online casinos will be difficult to recover.
- Self-exclusion via BetStop does not apply to overseas-based online gambling companies. These companies have no obligation to honor self-exclusions created through the registry in Australia.
- Some overseas-based online gambling companies will convert a player's Australian dollars (AUD) to US dollars (USD) or European euros (EUR) to payout winnings. This introduces the potential for fees and unfavorable exchange rates for the player.
- Licensed online gambling companies in Australia have specific standards for the games that they offer. The software providers of their games must be tested to ensure that the payout percentages for players meet those standards. Online casinos based overseas may have licenses from other jurisdictions. These have different standards for online games.
If the online gambling site does not have a license, responsible gambling policies and contact details for the company, do not deposit money into the website. These are signs of illegal gambling companies that will not pay out winnings to their participants.
How to Check If a Site Is Licensed in Australia
The ACMA maintains a register of online gambling companies that are licensed to provide services to Australian players. These services are limited to sports betting and lottery services. No online casino license exists in Australia, hence no online casino will be licensed on this register.
Any citizen of Australia can access the register of licensed online gambling companies on the ACMA website. Also, the website allows users to report unlicensed online gambling sites. The reports do not need to include the user's name.
6 How ACMA Enforces Online Casino Laws in Australia
The Australian Communications and Media Authority is Australia's main regulatory and law enforcement agency for the Interactive Gambling Act. Its job is to monitor all online gambling services and to take action against those that are found to have breached the Gambling Act.
ACMA's Main Powers
- Ordering Australian internet service providers to block access to illegal gambling domains
- Imposing civil penalties on operators targeting Australian residents
- Referring directors of offending companies to the Australian Border Force
- Working with international regulators to disrupt overseas operators
- Publishing a list of currently blocked illegal gambling websites
The ACMA has the power to take action against any online gambling company that is based outside of Australia and that is found to be providing prohibited interactive gambling services to Australian players. The website may be blocked and the company may be fined.
The Penalty Structure
The penalty unit is 5,000 penalty units for a company providing a prohibited interactive gambling service to Australians under section 15 of the Act. Also, any company found to be providing a regulated service without the relevant license will receive the same penalty under section 15AA of the Act.
The company may avoid prosecution under the Act if it can prove that it did not have knowledge of, and could not have reasonably determined that the company's website was linked to Australian players.
Where to report: If you believe an overseas-based website is providing illegal gambling services to Australians, report it to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) at acma.gov.au. The report does not have to include your name.
7 Taxes on Online Casino Winnings in Australia
No, Australians are not required to pay income tax on winnings from gambling. The Australian Taxation Office treats gambling as an optional recreational activity that is not considered to bring in any income to an individual.
If an individual's gambling activities suggest they are using gambling as a means of business (high frequency of gambling, systematic gambling strategies), the ATO may treat gambling as a source of business income. In this case, tax rules for businesses will apply.
If you gamble extensively and are unsure of your tax obligations, contact the Australian Taxation Office online community or a registered tax agent for Australia.
Players are advised to keep records of their gambling outcomes. Such records will make it easy to respond to any enquiries from the Australian Taxation Office regarding gambling income.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get in trouble for using an online casino in Australia?
The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 does not target internet casino site players; instead, the Act targets the companies that license, provide and advertise these services. There have been no prosecutions of Australians for using overseas-based online casino sites.
However, there are risks associated with using an overseas-based gambling company that is not licensed in Australia. These risks involve the lack of consumer protection, complaints route and potential loss of money should the company be blocked from Australian networks.
Can you play casino games online for real money in Australia?
No company in Australia can legally offer online casino games. Any sites that do offer online casino games to Australians are outside of Australia and are licensed to provide these services overseas. These companies are outside Australian consumer law and self-exclusion systems such as BetStop.
Can you withdraw money from online casinos in Australia?
Despite being outside Australian consumer law, many overseas-based online casinos will allow players in Australia to withdraw their winnings. The withdrawal process depends on the player's chosen payment method, KYC requirements and the terms of the online casino.
Using cryptocurrencies to deposit and withdraw from an online casino incurs fewer fees and takes less time than alternative methods. To ensure that the online casino does not block access to withdrawing winnings, complete the identity verification process prior to beginning gambling.
Australian players looking for a simpler deposit method can also use PayID - our PayID deposit guide covers setup and what to expect.
Why did Australia ban online casino gambling?
The Act was introduced in 2001 with the intention of curbing problem gambling, offering consumer protection and curbing money laundering in the online gambling industry. Because online casinos are difficult to regulate, the government chose to ban them outright.
The 2017 amendments to the Act were introduced to increase the enforcement power of the Australian government over the many online gambling companies that were springing up overseas. The original Act would be difficult to apply against overseas companies.
Is online blackjack legal in Australia?
Online blackjack that is played for money is a prohibited interactive gambling service under the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001. No company based in Australia can provide such a service. Any companies that target Australian players and offer online blackjack are outside of Australia and do not have a license to provide such services in Australia.
Does BetStop apply to overseas online casinos?
No. BetStop only covers Australian-based online gambling companies. Overseas-based online casinos are outside of the scope of the BetStop registry and will not be required to honor self-exclusions made through the registry. Hence, a self-exclusion from Australia does not affect overseas-based online casinos.
Are gambling winnings taxed in Australia?
Winnings from gambling in Australia are not considered to be taxable income for those who gamble casually. The Australian Taxation Office recognises that gambling is a recreational activity. However, if an individual is considered to be gambling as a means of business, then different tax rules will apply to those individuals.
If you are unsure about your tax obligations from gambling, contact the Australian Taxation Office online community or a registered tax agent for Australia.
How can I report an illegal gambling site in Australia?
If you believe an overseas website is providing illegal gambling services to Australian players, report it to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) at acma.gov.au. The report does not have to include your name. The ACMA will investigate and take action against the company providing illegal gambling services to Australians.
Responsible Gambling
18+ Gambling is for adults only. It carries real financial risk and should never be used as a way to make money or solve financial problems.
If you gamble, set a budget before you start and treat any losses as the cost of entertainment. Use the time and deposit limit tools available in your account. Take regular breaks and never chase losses.
If gambling is affecting your finances, relationships, or mental health, free and confidential support is available 24 hours a day:
National Gambling Helpline: 1800 858 858 (free, 24/7).