Retail Wagering Operators, Corporate Bookmakers and On-course Bookmakers are also required to pay race field fees/product fees to racing controlling bodies and sports controlling bodies, respectively, in relation to bets taken on their product. These fees are generally a percentage of turnover, or the greater of a percentage of turnover and gross margin, and depend upon the relevant product. There has historically been lobbying seeking its approval, on the basis that it is a game of skill.
Australians self-exclude from online gambling with BetStop
If you are considering signing up to and playing at an online casino in Australia, you might be wondering whether it is legal to do so. The answer is not exactly straightforward, so let’s go through this in detail. We hope this provides Australian punters with enough information to confirm gambling online is a legal practice and doing so responsibly, at any of the above suggested websites, is not breaking the law in any way, shape or form. Online lottery betting – as long as the lottery is not an ‘instant-win’ scratch card style of wagering, purchasing tickets and playing in lotteries such as Tattslotto, Powerball, state keno games and the Soccer Pools, via the Internet, is also a completely lawful activity. Lotteries licensees can offer their approved lottery products through retail newsagencies, other approved retail venues, third-party agents, resellers and also online. Keno licensees can offer their products through retail venues and online (in the case of the ACT and Vic).
More recently, a AUS $450 million civil penalty was applied to an operator in the casino sector. Additional litigation involving alleged breaches of the AML/CTF Act is on foot against other casino licensees at the time of writing. There is also a federal Goods & Services Tax of 10% payable on net revenue from gambling products; however, state and territory taxation rates sometimes take this into account, and it is offset against taxation payable to state and territory governments. Casino licences can typically only be applied for through a competitive tender process run by the relevant state or territory. The same applies in relation to Retail Wagering Licences and also lotteries and keno licences. Gaming machine and other equipment manufacturers, software developers and technical services suppliers selling products and/or services used for gambling-related activities are also required to hold a relevant licence.
- As a player, you can legally play at those online casinos, since there is nothing in the IGA stating that it is illegal to access or play at those sites.
- More recently, a AUS $450 million civil penalty was applied to an operator in the casino sector.
- If games are not entirely skill-based (that is, there is an element of chance), then they will be subject to the relevant gaming laws.
- Betting on fantasy sports in Australia is offered by some corporate bookmakers licensed in the Northern Territory (Corporate Bookmakers).
The introduction of the power for particular regulators to issue penalty infringement notices for certain gambling-related offences as an alternative to commencing court action has been a recent development in this jurisdiction. In mid-2024 Australia banned credit cards and digital currency for use in relation to online wagering. State and territory taxes on gaming machine revenue are complicated and vary significantly.
Everything You Need to Know About the Casino Laws
However, it’s not illegal for Australian residents to gamble at online casinos located outside the country. Also, gambling companies based in Australia are still permitted to offer their asino login services to customers in other countries, including online casino services, which is quite the paradox. However, there are still many offshore sites that offer their services to Australians, and the government does very little to prevent this. As a player, you can legally play at those online casinos, since there is nothing in the IGA stating that it is illegal to access or play at those sites. You will also have no issues depositing or withdrawing money from online casinos in Australia.
Why are online casinos banned in Australia?
The Interactive Gambling Act contains restrictions that apply to Retail Wagering Licensees, Corporate Bookmakers and On-course Bookmakers in relation to live (or ‘in the run’) betting on sport. Such betting is limited to telephone betting www.qld.gov.au and betting within a Retail Wagering environment. Legislation prohibits bets being taken by a Corporate Bookmaker on the outcome of a lottery (that is, ‘synthetic lotteries’).
Nevertheless, the latest reforms have confirmed that the central government started to act more actively in this sphere. The report calls on the government to introduce the Senate inquiry recommendations for a complete ban on gambling advertising within three years and a ban on inducements "without delay". The inquiry suggested a blanket ban on gambling advertising within three years, but media companies have been fighting the proposed ban, and there have been concerns the government might introduce a watered-down version of the proposed ban in response.