Australia's gambling landscape is shaped primarily by the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA). Under this federal law, it is illegal for any operator to offer or advertise real-money online games of chance, including roulette and online pokies, to people physically located in Australia. The law targets operators, not individual players.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) enforces the IGA by ordering internet service providers to block access to illegal offshore gambling websites. Between April and June 2024, approximately fifty websites offering illegal gambling services were blocked in that quarter alone. Many of these sites offered casino table games such as roulette, blackjack, poker, and slots without an Australian licence.
Unregulated online casinos are not required to comply with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing obligations, unlike regulated financial institutions (Macquarie University, "Considering Online Casino Risks: A Comparative Report"). Beyond the illegality, there are no consumer protections: no guaranteed fair play, no dispute resolution, and no responsible gambling safeguards.
Land-based casinos in Australia are regulated by state and territory governments. Each state has its own casino control authority. The NSW Independent Casino Commission, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission, and the Queensland Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation are among the key bodies. These regulators enforce game integrity, responsible gambling measures, and anti-money laundering compliance. Licensed Australian casinos remain the primary legal venue for real-money roulette in the country.
Despite the legal prohibition on online play, some Australians do access offshore online casinos. Survey data from GambleAware NSW indicates that online casino participation remains relatively uncommon: the share of respondents reporting online casino play increased slightly from 0.5% in 2019 to 0.8% in 2024, based on a survey of 10,000 New South Wales residents (GambleAware NSW, Factsheet on Online Gambling, 2024).
Research from the Australian Institute of Family Studies indicates that about 20% of adults and adolescents who play simulated gambling games eventually move on to online commercial gambling. The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation and CQUniversity have noted that "the use of gambling-themed apps is associated with increased real gambling in adolescence; time spent in such games predicts time spent on real wagers in the same week" ("Gambling-like apps: not suitable for children").
Harm-reduction services
All licensed Australian casinos are required to offer responsible gambling tools, including deposit limits, loss limits, session time reminders, and self-exclusion programs.
If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, it may be time to seek support:
- Do you spend more money on gambling than you can afford?
- Do you gamble to escape stress or negative feelings?
- Have you tried to win back money you've lost?
- Has gambling caused arguments or problems in your relationships?
- Do you feel restless or irritable when trying to reduce gambling?