Gambling Laws in Australia: Legal Betting Guide 2026

The majority of gambling regulation, licensing, and operational directives are administered through the individual state and territorial jurisdictions. Gambling in Australia, including online wagering, sports betting, and lotteries, is heavily regulated and subject to licensing at both federal and state/territory levels. 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. Included in this are restrictions at a state and territory level in relation to gambling advertising and also inducements to open an account and, in some jurisdictions, to gamble or to gamble more frequently. In addition to the compulsory responsible gambling messages and warnings, it is an offence to advertise an inducement to open a betting account or to refer another person to open a betting account and, in some jurisdictions, to gamble or to gamble more frequently.
“Inadequate governance and project management practices have hindered the department’s efforts to implement these strategies,” the report found. The report found the Department of Justice and Attorney-General’s harm minimisation programs were hampered by low government funding and poor management. A damning Queensland Audit Office report has taken aim at the state government’s “inadequate” harm reduction strategies. His deep understanding and insight into the gambling industry allow him to navigate its dynamic landscape with accuracy and skill. Gambling is common in Australia, with pokies and sports betting leading the way, but it can become a problem for some. Regulators require operators to provide tools like deposit limits and activity statements.
Pokies, or gaming machines, are Australia’s most popular gambling form, with thousands in pubs, clubs, and casinos. This mix of laws means you need to be aware of your state’s rules to gamble legally. New South Wales uses the Betting and Racing Act 1998 for wagering, and Queensland relies on the QOLGR for licensing.
To find legal sites, check for licenses from regulators like the NTRC, which is popular for online bookmakers due to its flexible licensing rules. These sites offer sports betting, racing bets, and sometimes lotteries or keno. Additionally, customer verification times dropped from 14 days to 3 days, ensuring underage gamblers or self-excluded players can’t slip through. Passed in 2001 and amended in 2017, it sets strict rules for online betting services. The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) is the main federal law governing online gambling in Australia.
The ACMA has also been particularly active in relation to enforcement action in connection with spam legislation where infringements by a number of wagering operators have been identified. 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 introduction of the power for particular regulators to issue penalty infringement notices for certain gambling-related offences as an alternative to commencing court action has been a recent development in this jurisdiction. 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?
A 1999 report estimated Australia has one of the highest per capita gambling rates globally, with pokies driving much of the $24 billion annual gambling revenue. You have plenty of legal ways to gamble online in Australia, but the options are limited by the IGA. Land-based casinos in Queensland operate under regulatory supervision, ensuring player safety and fair play, adhering to established laws and regulations.
Casino licences provide that casinos are only permitted to offer casino games and gaming machines to patrons present within the casino. The NICC did, however, impose a fine of AUS $15 million on account of four breaches of regulatory requirements. The authors also note that the NICC issued The Star Sydney with a show cause notice in September 2024 after a report found that it was not fit to hold a licence.
Despite the availability of international online casinos, it’s crucial to note that these platforms operate outside Australian jurisdiction. This pivotal legislation, passed by the Australian Commonwealth Parliament, prohibits the advertisement and provision of real-money online gambling services to Australian citizens. This opulent Brisbane casino wedding features an extensive array of gaming machines, including pokies and video poker, alongside an impressive selection of table games. This is the primary piece of Queensland legislation that deals with online gambling.