Australia has one of the largest gambling markets in the world per head, but its online rules are narrow. Federal law, the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, decides what can be offered online; the states and territories license the operators that are allowed. Online casino and poker are not on the list.
This page replaces our earlier Australia guide, which described a license that does not exist for online casinos. For operators and suppliers, the practical questions are what is prohibited, what can be licensed and how to manage exposure.
Australian online gambling: key facts for 2026
| Item | Position in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Federal law | Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) |
| Enforcement | Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) |
| Online casino, pokies, poker | Prohibited for customers in Australia; no license available |
| Online sports and racing wagering | Legal through state or territory licenses |
| Online in-play sports betting | Not permitted |
| Main licensing hub for bookmakers | Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission |
| Self-exclusion | BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register (since August 2023) |
| Credit cards | Banned for online wagering since 11 June 2024 |
| Blocked sites | 1,751 illegal gambling and affiliate sites since November 2019 (June 2026) |
What the Interactive Gambling Act prohibits
The IGA prohibits providing or advertising interactive gambling services to people in Australia, including:
- Online casino games and online pokies;
- Online poker;
- Online in-play betting on sports;
- Services offered by operators without an Australian state or territory license.
The prohibitions apply to offshore operators regardless of where they are licensed. A license from Curaçao, Malta or anywhere else does not make it lawful to serve Australian customers.
What can be licensed
- Wagering on sports and racing, by bookmakers licensed in a state or territory. Most national online bookmakers hold Northern Territory licenses.
- Lotteries, through licensed lottery operators.
- Land-based gambling — casinos, clubs and hotels with gaming machines — under state and territory law.
Licensed wagering operators must follow the National Consumer Protection Framework, including activity statements, deposit limits, BetStop checks and restrictions on inducements. States charge point-of-consumption taxes on wagering by bettors located in their territory.
Enforcement in practice
ACMA acts on complaints and its own investigations. It asks ISPs to block illegal gambling websites and affiliate sites that promote them, issues formal warnings and can pursue civil penalties. Since stronger enforcement began in 2017, more than 230 illegal services have withdrawn from the Australian market. Our news coverage of ACMA’s blocking program and of banks restricting gambling payments shows how this developed.
What this means for international operators and suppliers
- Geo-block Australia for casino, poker and other prohibited products, across websites, apps and payments.
- Remove Australia from affiliate and marketing programs — ACMA also blocks affiliate sites.
- Review B2B contracts so that supplied content is not used to serve Australian players.
- Wagering only: a state or territory license is the sole lawful route, and it requires local presence and Australian compliance systems.
Where to look instead
Operators seeking regulated growth are focusing on Europe, Latin America and Canada. See our jurisdictions overview to compare routes.
How Gambling Consulting Expert can help
We help operators and suppliers assess Australia-related exposure — geo-blocking, payments, affiliates and B2B contracts — and identify markets where they can operate lawfully. Contact us.
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