Online gambling at casinos, poker sites, and bingo platforms is illegal in Australia. Regulated online gambling activities are provided through selected licensed regulated betting sites like bet365 and PointsBet. You can view the licensed and legal sportsbooks you can gamble on from home and the territories they are available here.
That’s not to say you cannot play real money pokies, poker, and lottery games from home in Australia. Several offshore gambling sites accept players from Australia at their own risk.
The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) defines gambling online in Australia. Specifically, this bill makes it illegal for offshore gambling sites to provide online gambling services to players in Australia. This includes all types of gambling, such as casino games and sports betting, where real money is involved. Social gaming apps like Lightning Link Casino are still legal Down Under.
The good news for Australians interested in gambling at home is that the IGA doesn’t prosecute or target them. Instead, the authority responsible for overseeing online gambling operators in Australia, ACMA, fines and prosecutes online casinos.
How to Gamble from Home in Australia
The approach taken by the Australian Government against online gambling doesn’t seem to work well so far. Although powerhouses like PokerStars, 888 Casino, and Betfair have moved away from this market, smaller operators still offer gambling from home to Aussies. That’s because they don’t have much to lose and so much to gain.
The challenge is finding legit online casinos that accept Australians since less-stringent gambling authorities regulate them like Curacao. If you are interested in online pokies, poker, bingo, and other gambling activities from home and are based in Australia – you can visit these online casinos:
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Online Gambling in Australia
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is responsible for regulating online gambling Down Under. They are the ones trying to enforce the intent of the IGA and protect players who gamble from home in Australia. Based on the bill, the following gambling services are prohibited when real money is involved:
- Online pokies (slots)
- Casino games like roulette, poker, and blackjack
- Scratch-offs
- Sports betting
- Lottery-type of games
All legal betting activities in Australia are regulated on a state-by-state level through the following bodies:
- ACT Gambling and Racing Commission
- Licensing Commission
- NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming, and Racing
- Independent Gambling Authority
- QLD Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation
- Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation
- Department of Racing, Gaming, and Liquor
- Tasmanian Gaming Commission
Online Gambling Services That are Illegal in Australia
The IGA is one of the many laws that is not properly enforced. The ACMA has failed to catch up on the numerous online casinos providing gambling services to Australians, allowing them to take all the revenue produced by pokies and casino-style games outside of the continent.
That’s also the case due to the lack of taxation on players’ gambling winnings. However, the fact doesn’t change that the following are illegal in Australia:
- Online pokies real money from home
- Online poker real money from home
- Table and card games online for money
- Online bingo and sports betting at offshore gambling sites
As a player, you are not in any danger for gambling from home on any of the above. However, there would be a more thorough vetting process in place if online pokies were legal and regulated in Australia.
Dangers and Opportunities with Illegal Gambling at Home
For all the bad caused by the lack of a sensible approach to online gambling in Australia, there are a few positive aspects. Below, we explore the benefits and drawbacks of the current state of gambling laws in Australia.
Benefits
The lack of regulation at offshore gambling sites allows them to create bonuses and platforms as they see fit. They are not restricted in any way, and you will see massive deposit offers and free chips just for signing up.
There is no shortage of gaming options, too. We are talking 5,000+ online pokies, video poker games, blackjack variants, real money roulette tables, bingo, scratchies, live casino games, game shows, and even Bitcoin gambling. You won’t find the Aviator, Live Pokies, Crash Games, or the Rocket on any regulated site. But you will at Aussie gambling platforms.
Since these sites are not recognised as official entities in Australia, you are not required to pay any taxes for your winnings. That’s a requirement for all gamblers in some countries, like the US and Canada.
And you can enjoy all the above gambling benefits without using a VPN.
Downsides
The main downside is that the lack of regulation allows untrustworthy operators to offer gambling services in Australia. Most Australian online casinos are licensed by Curacao or not at all. This iGaming authority doesn’t help players resolve disputes with online casinos and rarely monitors their activities.
ACMA usually blocks online casinos that are reported by players, which often resort to this because they didn’t get paid. As such, a site that might be online one day can disappear the next. This is further explained through our online casino troubleshooting guide.
The above issues complicate gambling at home in Australia. And here, at Pokies Bet, we are striving to help you navigate the iGaming industry safely.
FAQs
What is illegal gambling in Australia?
Online gambling for real money on Pokies, Poker, Bingo, Scratchies, and Lotteries is illegal in Australia. The same applies to online sports betting at offshore or unregulated bookmakers.
Can you gamble in your own home in Australia?
You can gamble from home in Australia without any risk. The IGA prohibits online casino gambling in Australia, but many offshore gambling sites provide their services Down Under. ACMA is the designated authority for stopping operators without any repercussions for players.
Is gambling at home illegal in Victoria?
Yes, all forms of online casino gambling are illegal in Victoria. However, hundreds of online casinos accept players from Victoria who are not breaking any law by taking this opportunity.
What makes at home gambling illegal?
The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 sets real money gambling at pokies, poker, table games, lottery, scratchies, and sports betting from home illegal in Australia. There are exceptions for licensed bookmakers in Australia, but that’s about it.
Is it illegal to play poker for money at home?
The IGA makes real money poker games online illegal in Australia. However, the Australian Government doesn’t take action against players using poker sites, but rather the operators themselves.
Is online bingo from home illegal in Australia?
Online bingo is not classed as a game of skill and therefore is illegal to play from home online in Australia. This is explained by the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. Still, you will find several Australian bingo sites to play, and you are not in any danger by doing so.
- About the Author
- Affiliate Disclosure
Michael has reviewed and verified all information on this page. Having worked in the iGaming industry for over 8 years, he is the most capable person to help you navigate online casinos, pokies, and the Australian gambling landscape.
