Legal iGaming Sites in Oz in 2025: Thorough Overview
- Updated: December 24, 2024
- Authors: Jim Gray & Facundo Manes
Gambling in Oz is not forbidden by local law but finding online casinos legal Australia is not the easiest task that takes a lot of time as this territory does not allow Aussie sites to offer an iGaming service. The IGA document issued in 2001 only allows a couple of land-based institutions to function within the country but not online sites.
No restrictions are placed on Australian gamblers who wish to visit any iGaming website located outside their borders, making offshore sites the ideal option for local players. Find out more details regarding online casino legal Australia.
Content
The Best Reliable & Legal iGaming Sites in Oz
Gambling in Australia: Present State of Affairs
Because every state and territory in Australia has own set of regulations governing iGaming entertainment, the situation related to betting is a little bit difficult. Along with that, there’s the IGA file published in 2001 which is the main document in Australia applicable in every state. This law was created to protect Aussies from the potential harms of betting for real funds.
| Territory of Australia | Current Law | Regulator | Availability of Offshore iGaming Sites |
|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | The Betting and Racing Act | Liquor & Gaming NSW | Available |
| Victoria | The Gambling Regulation Act | Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation | Available |
| Queensland | The Interactive Gambling Act | Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation | Available |
| Western Australia | The Gaming and Wagering Commission Act | Department of Local Government, Sport, and Cultural Industries | Available |
| South Australia | The Independent Gambling Authority Act | Independent Gambling Authority | Available |
| Tasmania | The Gaming Control Act | Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission | Available |
| Australian Capital Territory | ACT Gambling and Racing Control Regulation | ACT Gambling and Racing Commission | Available |
| Northern Territory | The Racing and Betting Act | Northern Territory Racing Commission | Available |
Are Online Casinos Legal in Australia?
Online casinos are illegal in Oz according to the Interactive Gambling Act. However, Aussies are allowed to visit an offshore online casino Australia legal site and make their bets there. They must be careful though.
Since these iGaming sites aren’t Australia-based, there is a high risk of encountering scammers. Prior to sharing individual information with a new site, take time to figure out the history of the site and read feedback from other players. Also, make sure that the site holds a license from a reliable control body such as The Curaçao Gaming Control Board or Malta Gaming Authority. Users can check out whether the license is valid by inputting the document number on the official site of the iGaming control body.
Are Pokies Legal in Australia?
Slots, known as «pokies» in Australian slang, are regulated differently in every state in Australia. Most territories have strict regulations regarding pokie machines but they can be found in licensed establishments such as Crown Perth or Crown Casino.
As for online pokies, they are forbidden in a similar way as online casinos. Gamblers can only play online pokies legal in Australia when they select a trustworthy offshore site with thousands of games on offer.
The Present-Day Gambling Law in Australia is IGA
Gaming in Australia is currently entirely regulated by The Interactive Gambling Act (IGA). The IGA prohibits iGaming entertainment within Australia to protect Aussies from potential harms such as ludomania or fraud, but not completely.
In simple terms, it’s forbidden to provide various services associated with betting for real funds, including pokies, poker, blackjack, baccarat, and similar things. Simultaneously, gamblers aren’t banned from playing legal online pokies Australia. Those who are interested in iGaming can simply find an international site and create an account to play there. Gamblers can even use their Australian bank cards to refill their accounts. But it’s crucial to prioritize only legit online casino Australia and avoid shady sites that work without a license and can potentially delay winnings or even refuse to pay them.
Main Regulator – ACMA
The Australian Communications and Media Authority is a regulatory body responsible for supervising broadcasts, telecommunications, radiocommunications, and different content on the Web in Australia. Gambling is also on this list as iGaming entertainment is related to online content. ACMA has the authority to investigate complaints, issue warnings, and other things that can potentially breach the regulations indicated in the IGA. However, this control body can’t regulate a legal online casino in Australia operated by a foreign company.
Another agency related to the iGaming regulation in Australia is the National Consumer Protection Framework (NCPF). This supervisory authority makes certain that local iGaming sites provide users with different self-exclusion tools such as deposit limits, loss limits, and time limits.
From 30 March 2023, iGaming companies must warn players about risks associated with betting for real funds. Casinos also cannot offer their new users a sign-up bonus or any other incentive tempting Aussies to top up their accounts with real funds. Sure thing, this rule is not applied to the independent legal online casino Australia as these websites are not owned by businesses in Australia.
Offshore Gambling Sites for Aussies
All kinds of offshore iGaming sites are open for Australian users and the most crucial thing is to check out whether this website is safe for them or not. Gamblers who are tempted to bet for real funds and want to join a European or American casino, need to seek information about this casino and be convinced that it is trustworthy. Important factors to take into account include:
- Licensing and Regulation
The most paramount thing in an online casino is a reliable license from an authoritative inspecting agency;
- Gaming Selection
A wide assortment can enhance your experience and make entertainment more variable, so search for iGaming websites that offer pokies, poker, roulette, baccarat, blackjack, lotteries, and much more;
- Promotions and Events
Give preference to iGaming sites with rich bonus offers. Make certain that the turnover requirements are realistic too;
- Payment Options
Ensure that this site accepts convenient & reliable payment instruments available in your region.
How to Find Out that this is a Licensed Online Casino?
Aussie users who wonder «Is this online casino legal in Australia?» and do not know whether this site is safe to visit can carry out a small research. To figure out whether the site operates within the boundaries of the law and offers reliable services, follow the instructions:
Licensed iGaming websites always show information about their control body prominently, so you need to visit the site and scroll through the homepage to find out what regulatory agency issued a license.
Navigate to the official site of this control body and type in a license number in the search bar to ensure that this document is valid.
Return to the iGaming website and discover whether it has certifications from independent testing agencies like eCOGRA, iTech Labs, or TST.
Read feedback on iGaming forums and get to know what players think about this site.
In case any questions, do not hesitate to contact the customer support service and ask them.
Conclusion
Hopefully, Australian users who were wondering is online casino legal in Australia and are online pokies legal in Australia understood the main idea. According to The Interactive Gambling Act (IGA), online gaming is forbidden in each state and local companies cannot provide such a service to Aussies. Despite that, there are offshore casinos available, where Australians can make bets without restrictions and play as much as they want.
When choosing an offshore casino, players need to take into account the following criteria: licensing and regulations, iGaming assortment, bonus offers, and banking methods. Be careful and register only in online casino legal Australia, where your legal rights are protected and valued.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Australians Make Bets in Offshore Legal Casinos Using AUD?
Yes. European and American iGaming sites accept a lot of different currencies and AUD is included in the list. There is no need to convert the currency and be charged with a fee for it.
Are Offshore Casinos Support the Responsible Gambling Ideas?
There are no mandatory requirements such as deposit or time limits, but Australian players can contact the support team anytime they want and enable these limitations.
Should Australian Players Use the VPN Service to Access the Offshore Gambling Site?
Not necessarily, as most of these sites accept users from Oz and there is no need to change the IP address to access an online casino Australia legal real money.
