Online Gambling in Australia 2024 – Key Features Overview

Online gambling Australia is effectively prohibited, as stated in the Interactive Gambling Act. Local licenses are not issued to casinos, so gamblers from Oz can play on international sites. Most often, they choose online casinos located in jurisdictions like Curacao or Malta.

Our experts care about player safety, so they have prepared a review concerning the best online gambling sites Australia. In this review, we will discuss whether Australian gambling sites are legal, where it is best to play, and how bonuses are awarded. We will also learn about the features of the payment systems used, the types of bets, and other useful information.

In this review, we will discuss whether Australian gambling sites are legal, where it is best to play, and how bonuses are awarded

Review of online gambling in Australia

According to our calculations, around 80% of the adult population occasionally participate in real money games on Australian gambling websites. Regulation of online gambling in Australia began as early as 2001, and the country currently has some of the strictest rules in this area. However, you can legally play real money games in land-based casinos. The most popular gambling games in these establishments are blackjack, baccarat, and dice. Sports betting is also widespread in Australia.

Territory
Law/Regulator
Australian Capital Territory
Gambling and Racing Commission
Northern Territory
Northern Territory Racing Commission
South Australia
Consumer and Business Services
Victoria
Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation

Australian Gambling Laws

Regulation of gambling Australia online has been in place since 2001, the year the primary legislative act was adopted. Here are some key points about the laws that our experts urge you to consider:

  • Each state in the country independently establishes additional requirements for casinos;
  • Online gambling sites Australia operate under the rules of the offshore regulator that issued the license to the specific site;
  • Special attention is paid to responsible gaming rules.

Gambling Regulators in Australia

Currently, there is no online gambling ombudsman Australia regulating the gambling market. Each state has own organization responsible for issuing licenses and ensuring compliance with the legislation. Here is the list of these organizations:

  • Gambling and Racing Commission;
  • Northern Territory Racing Commission;
  • Consumer and Business Services;
  • Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation.

Licensing and Legislation for Online Betting Sites in Australia

Australian online gambling sites primarily operate under offshore licenses. These include the Malta Gaming Authority, the UK, Curacao, Cyprus, Gibraltar, and others. As of today, numerous international online casinos have entered the Australian market, providing gamblers with access to various gambling games, bonus programs such as no deposit bonuses, and free spins. Additionally, registration on these sites is quite straightforward, and not all of them require mandatory verification.

Our experts have analyzed the licenses of the casinos most frequently played by Australians. They predominantly prefer gambling sites operating under the following jurisdictions:

  • United Kingdom

    The best online casinos are licensed here, as the UK Gambling Commission imposes fairly strict requirements on licensees.

  • Curaçao

    Most casinos available in Australia hold this license. The requirements of the licensor are more lenient, which is why many gambling sites choose to operate under it.

How to Register on Online Gambling Sites

To take full advantage of Australian online casinos, you need to register. This will allow you to play pokies and live dealer games, and activate bonuses. Hence some of the Australian casinos may come with no minimum deposit, no deposit bonuses for players among other incentives. Nevertheless, the general processes of registering on a particular site have some peculiarities; in most cases, they include the following steps.

  1. List down the safest casino site and read their terms and conditions before playing

    Choosing the right casino for real money gambling is important, and it should be licensed, and it should offer bonuses and other incentives to the players. Relate to the number of available pokies to further establish the right Australian online gambling site for you.

  2. Create a profile

    New registrations are handled by clicking on the “Register” link/button and completing the registration form. Usually, Australian gamblers are asked to donate their email address, phone number, and a few other pieces of information. It is also important that you create a good strong password.

  3. Register and making a deposit

    Upon the completion of the registration form, click the register button, and this will lead you to your account page. Then, proceed to the payment method tab. Summarize the options of payment and make a deposit according to the maximum and minimum sum allowed.

  4. Start Playing Games

    Click the casino tab and see what games are offered and what kind of promotions or bonuses are available. Previously, most of them grouped them under pokies, live dealer, table, Megaways, or jackpots categories. Select a game of your choice, check out the rules, pay tables, and settings, and begin to bet real money.

Online Sports Betting in Australia

In addition to online gambling in Australia, players can also engage in sports betting. Most sites offer bets on over 30 sports in both pre-match and live formats. Recently, betting on eSports and virtual sports has also become increasingly popular. Here are the most popular sports and top events you can bet on:

  • Australian Football (AFL)

    AFL Grand Final, AFL Premiership Season, Brownlow Medal Night.

  • Cricket

    The Ashes, Big Bash League (BBL), ICC Cricket World Cup.

  • Rugby (NRL and Rugby Union)

    NRL Grand Final, State of Origin, Super Rugby.

  • Tennis

    Australian Open, Davis Cup, ATP Cup.

  • Horse Racing

    Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, The Everest.

  • Soccer

    A-League Grand Final, FFA Cup, Asian Champions League.

  • Basketball

    NBL Grand Final, FIBA World Cup, Olympic Games Basketball.

  • Golf

    Australian Open Golf, Australian PGA Championship, Presidents Cup.

Types of Bets

A large number of casinos and betting sites available in Australia provide a total of three formats for placing bets. This way, you can make the following types of bets:

  • Singles

    There can be only one sports event placed in the bet slip, and when this type of bet wins, it is the returned stake that is multiplied by a given odds.

  • Accumulators

    This comes with several bets on the bet slip for at least 3 sports events. If the bets win then the odds are multiplied substantially, and it not only results in nice profits, but the Australian bettor may get a possibility to gain even bigger money. Both result types must be successful in accumulators; otherwise, the bet slip will be invalid.

  • System Bets

    This involves placing multiple bets of different sports events on the bet slip, at least 3 of them. The main difference is that the player can make a mistake challenging players due to difficult and intricate nature and requires a higher degree of concentration. However, a payout is given for events that the player can pinpoint accurately.

Online Gambling Payment Providers

The best online gambling sites Australia offer players a variety of payment systems, allowing them to easily deposit funds and withdraw winnings. They aim to process all transactions for gamblers and bettors as quickly as possible without charging any additional fees. The minimum payment amount can vary, typically starting at 10 or 20 Australian dollars. Regarding available payment options, most casinos accept both fiat currency and cryptocurrency. Here are the most popular payment methods widely used in Australia:

  • Credit and Debit Cards

    You can easily deposit funds via the casino website or mobile app. The downside of this method (and bank transfers) is that transaction processing can take up to 3 business days or more.

  • E-wallets

    Common options include Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, and other payment systems. Accounts using e-wallets often enjoy additional bonuses. Transactions are processed instantly, and no fees are charged.

  • Cryptocurrency

    This payment method is characterized by highly secure transactions, and many casinos do not require mandatory verification for digital token payments. Another advantage of this method is a high level of privacy, no fees, and instant transaction completion.

Mobile Gambling Sites and Applications

Many Australian online gambling sites offer players convenient smartphone applications that facilitate placing bets, playing games, and performing other actions seamlessly. Downloading the application typically occurs from the casino or bookmaker’s website. While specific details of downloading and installation may vary, the general process involves the following steps:

  1. Navigate to the casino’s website and review the system requirements for the mobile application to ensure compatibility with your device.

  2. Click on the file to your operating system (iOS or Android) to begin the download process.

  3. Once the download is complete, locate the file in your smartphone’s storage.

  4. Install the application file, granting it all necessary permissions during the installation process to ensure full functionality.

  5. Find the casino’s icon on your home screen and tap it to launch the application. After launching, you will be prompted to log in to your account.

  6. Upon accessing your account, navigate to the deposit tab to fund your account.

  7. Choose from the available casino games and begin placing bets with real money at casinos on mobile.

Conclusion

We have thoroughly examined online gambling Australia. Despite the widespread popularity of casinos, their operation is not legally sanctioned within the country, and they thus operate under foreign jurisdictions. To ensure the casino is safe and there are no issues with payments, make sure it holds a valid license. Always review the terms and conditions of the online gambling Australia site and adhere to responsible guidelines.

FAQs

What age do Australian players need to be to register at a casino?

Players must be 18 years or older to register; underage players are not allowed to engage in gambling activities.

What no deposit bonuses do Australian casinos offer?

They often offer no deposit, free spins, and free bets for completing certain actions.

Do Australian casinos charge fees for deposits and withdrawals?

No, the casinos do not charge fees, but your payment systems might.

Shekinah Hoffman

Shekinah Hoffman

Editor-in-chief

5

My interest in online gambling led me to study the Australian market, where I saw great potential. I then launched a website with practical advice to help Australian players maximize their winnings.