Whether online casinos are legal in Australia - an analysis of legislation and rules for players

1. Basic law governing online gambling

In Australia, the key document governing online gambling is the Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) 2001. This law:

Prohibits local operators from providing online casino services (slots, roulette, poker, etc.) to Australians.
Does not prohibit players from using foreign online casinos that have an international license.
Restricts gambling advertising without specifying age restrictions and conditions for participation.

2. Allowed and prohibited types of online games

Allowed:

Sports betting and betting.
Lotteries and bingo.
Some betting exchanges.

Prohibited for local operators:

Online slots.
Online roulette and board games.
Online poker (for Australian companies).

However, Australians can play all of these games on overseas licensed platforms.

3. Player responsibility

As of 2025, Australian law does not provide for fines for individuals playing in licensed overseas casinos. The main control and sanctions are aimed at operators who violate the law.

4. Licenses and Jurisdictions

It is safer to choose a casino with a license:

MGA (Malta Gaming Authority) - strict control and protection of the rights of players.
UKGC (UK Gambling Commission) - high level of regulation.
Curacao eGaming is a popular and affordable license with international reach.

5. Player protection

Legal foreign casinos are obliged to:

Protect personal data.
Use an honest random number generator (RNG).
Provide the opportunity for responsible play (limits, self-exclusion).

6. How an Australian can choose a legal platform

Check for a license on the casino website.
Study deposit and withdrawal conditions.
Read real reviews about the speed of payments.
Make sure that there is support for convenient payment methods (cards, e-wallets, cryptocurrencies).

7. Regulatory changes

Australia has tightened controls over advertising and access to illegal platforms in recent years. It is expected that additional player protection measures could be introduced in the future, including mandatory registration with the national control system.

8. Result

Online casinos operated from Australia are banned, but players can legally use the services of overseas licensed operators. The key to safe play is choosing a proven platform and adhering to the principles of responsible play.