Gambling Laws and Regulations Report 2026 Australia

You can complain to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) if you find believe an online website is offering illegal gambling services. Any online gambling in Australia must be licensed and registered which ensures that it is bound by Australian laws and protections. Contact our criminal lawyers Sydney team to book a consult for more on this topic.
Bingo in land-based venues is regulated by the state and territory gambling regulators detailed below. Online bingo is regulated by the state and territory gambling regulators detailed below. In addition to casinos, poker is also played in hotels and clubs without generally being regulated in the same manner as a traditional casino table poker game, provided no third party (i.e. the venue owner/operator or tournament organiser) gains a percentage or share of any amount gambled. Online casino gaming is prohibited in Australia under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (Cth) (Interactive Gambling Act).
Casino table gaming and gaming machines, Retail Wagering, lotteries and keno all require an operator licence, which is typically long-dated and is granted by the relevant Australian state or territory. The best sign up bonus casino australia sites accepting Aussies are licensed offshore, typically in Curacao or similar jurisdictions. Our top rated casinos operate offshore under trusted licenses, offering Aussie players secure and legal gaming options with generous bonuses up to AU$10,000 + 300 free spins. There has been significant growth in this area with various business models implemented (including ‘membership-style’ businesses) which have been investigated by regulatory authorities and are the subject of litigation in the SA. AUSTRAC has also recently commenced the first prosecution of a prominent licensed club group for alleged breaches of the AML/CTF Act related to its operation of gaming machines. The use of digital currencies (including cryptocurrency) for gambling purposes is not common in the jurisdiction and, in the case of online wagering and betting, was expressly prohibited following amendments to the Interactive Gambling Act in 2024.
The same applies in relation to Retail Wagering Licences and also lottery and keno licences. Casino licences can typically only be applied for through a competitive tender process run by the relevant state or territory. Corporate Bookmakers offer online and telephone fixed-odds betting on racing, sports and other approved events and totalisator derivative betting on racing. Retail operations are typically conducted using authorised agents and licensing distribution arrangements. Retail Wagering is offered by state and territory-based totalisator agency boards (TABs) pursuant to sole licences in the relevant state or territory, thereby providing them with a form of ‘retail exclusivity’. Each state and territory has a relevant Casino Control Act (or similar legislation) under which casino licences have been issued.
Enforcement action by the ACMA is also likely to continue following the implementation of various legislative changes, including in relation to illegal gambling sites and following the recent commencement of the NSER. The AML/CTF Act also contains criminal provisions and it is possible that AUSTRAC may seek to apply these provisions in relation to non-compliance going forward. In the case of breaches of the AML/CTF Act by gambling service providers, AUSTRAC continues to show that it will prosecute civil penalty offences. State and territory licensees are expected to have appropriate controls in place to ensure that they comply with their licence obligations, including relevant laws and any conditions attaching to their licence. Have fines, licence revocations or other sanctions been enforced in your jurisdiction?
What appetite for and track record of enforcement does your local regulatory authority have? State and territory laws often also contain a range of offences in relation to unlawful gambling, which can include organising the unlawful event, as well as participating in it. Whilst federal, state and territory laws and regulations are often capable of being contravened by directors and other officers of licensees, recent regulatory action has been taken against corporate licensees only. Such betting is limited to telephone betting and betting within a Retail Wagering environment. Casino licensees cannot offer online casino games in Australia (it is prohibited under the Interactive Gambling Act, which also prohibits online poker). Are there any specific licensing or operational requirements for operators accepting digital currencies (including cryptocurrencies)? The use of cryptocurrency for online wagering was recently prohibited following amendments to the Interactive Gambling Act.
This offence carries a maximum penalty of 5000 penalty units, applicable each day the unlawful service is provided. A lottery can be authorised by making an application to NSW Fair Trading. A ‘legal bookmaker’ is defined as a licensed bookmaker approved by Liquor & Gaming NSW or by any other relevant state or territory legal authority. The maximum penalty for this offence is 50 penalty units and/or 12 months’ imprisonment. All state and territory unlawful gambling schemes include criminal penalties for non-compliance. These exceptions demonstrate that while the federal government enforces strict prohibitions on interactive gambling services, it allows regulated activities under specific conditions.
Corporate Bookmakers offer fixed-odds betting online and over the telephone on sport, racing and other approved events, whereas On-course Bookmakers offer fixed-odds betting on-course and, subject to approval, also over the telephone and in some instances online on similar events as a Corporate Bookmaker. 2.1 What regulatory licences, permits, authorisations or other official approvals (collectively, “Licences”) are required for the lawful offer of the Relevant Products to persons located in your jurisdiction? Set out below is a list of the primary legislation governing gaming, betting, lotteries and social/skill arrangements for each Australian state/territory, as well as at the federal level. Each of Australia’s eight mainland states and territories separately regulates gambling activities within each of their respective jurisdictions. Any skill games and competitions with no element of chance are not typically regarded as gambling, but may still fall within certain gaming regimes when operated in a land-based context. Such sweepstakes games can be differentiated from ‘trade promotion lotteries’ which are common in the jurisdiction.
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