Australia: Comprehensive Guide to Legal Online Betting (2025)
Australia regulates online gambling at the federal level under the Interactive Gambling Act. Online casinos are not legal for Australians. Licensed online wagering on sports and racing is allowed, with strong consumer protections and national self-exclusion. This guide covers legality, payments, KYC, responsible gambling and how to verify a legal service. For our testing standards, see How We Rate Casinos.
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1. Compliance Snapshot
Status: Online casinos prohibited. Licensed online wagering allowed.
Federal law: Interactive Gambling Act 2001, enforced by ACMA (about the IGA)
In-play online betting: banned under the IGA (details)
Credit and digital currency: banned for online and phone wagering from 11 Jun 2024 (ACMA) (Department)
Blocking illegal sites: ACMA requests ISP blocks for prohibited and unlicensed services (blocked list)
Self-exclusion: BetStop national register covers all licensed online and phone wagering (about) (sign up)
Age limit: 18+
Last reviewed: 4 Nov 2025
2. Is Online Casino Legal
Online casino games for Australians are not legal under the Interactive Gambling Act. The law bans online casinos and bans in-play online sports betting. Only Australian-licensed online wagering on sports and racing is permitted. ACMA enforces the rules and can block illegal websites.
Learn more in our Regulations guide. See ACMA’s overview here and current blocking actions here.
3. Payments
Licensed Australian wagering sites support banked and debit-based methods. From 11 June 2024, credit cards and digital currency are banned for online and phone wagering. Digital wallets that draw on a credit facility are also banned.
- Allowed: bank transfer, debit cards, approved payment providers that do not use credit.
- Not allowed: credit cards, credit-linked wallets, cryptocurrency for wagering payments.
Policy pages: ACMA credit ban and Department notice. For method comparisons see our Payment Methods guide.
4. KYC and Account Rules
- Identity checks: licensed operators must verify your identity before betting.
- BetStop match: operators must prevent excluded customers from opening or using accounts about BetStop.
- Advertising and inducements: federal and state rules restrict promotions, including stronger harm-minimisation messaging.
5. Game Availability
- Allowed online: Australian-licensed wagering on sports and racing.
- Prohibited online: casino games, online slots, in-play online betting, and betting on lottery outcomes see IGA.
6. Bonuses and Marketing
Bonuses and advertising are tightly controlled. Operators must follow federal and state rules on responsible messaging and contact restrictions, and they must not target people registered with BetStop.
7. Taxes for Players
Players: recreational gambling winnings are generally tax-free for individuals. Professional gambling may be assessed differently. See ATO guidance here.
Operators: states and territories levy point of consumption tax on wagering revenue, commonly 15 percent or higher NSW example.
8. Responsible Gambling
- BetStop: exclude yourself from all licensed online and phone wagering providers in one step sign up.
- Operator tools: deposit limits, time-outs and account closure are available on licensed sites.
- See our Responsible Gambling hub for tips.
9. Player Rights and Complaints
- Contact the operator’s support and keep records of chats and emails.
- If the operator is Australian-licensed and the issue persists, raise it with the relevant state or territory regulator listed by ACMA. Start at ACMA online gambling services.
- Report illegal offshore gambling to ACMA and avoid unlicensed sites. See blocked list. If in doubt, avoid and see our Blacklisted Casinos guide.
10. Verify a License
- Confirm the operator holds an Australian online wagering licence with a state or territory regulator. ACMA explains how to check here.
- Make sure the site does not offer prohibited online casino games or in-play online betting.
- Check that payments comply with the June 2024 credit and digital currency ban.
11. FAQs (Country-Specific)
Are online casinos legal in Australia
No. The IGA bans online casinos for Australians and bans in-play online betting. Only Australian-licensed online wagering on sports and racing is allowed source.
Can I use a credit card or crypto to bet online
No. From 11 June 2024, credit cards, credit-linked wallets and digital currencies are banned for online and phone wagering ACMA, Department.
What is BetStop
BetStop is the national self-exclusion register that blocks you from all licensed Australian online and phone wagering providers in one step about, sign up.
Are player winnings taxed
Recreational gambling winnings are generally tax-free for individuals. Operators pay taxes such as state point of consumption tax ATO, Revenue NSW.
How do I check if a site is legal
Use ACMA guidance and state regulator lists. Avoid offshore casinos and any site offering in-play online betting start here.
Disclaimer: informational content only, not legal or financial advice. Australia’s rules evolve through the Interactive Gambling Act and state laws. We review this page regularly.
Last updated: 12 November 2025
Rado Jovanovski
CMO & Content Team Lead
For over 9 years, I've worked in the iGaming industry, but my real passion has always been as a player. I started CasinosClub because I saw a huge gap between what players need and what most review sites offer. My job is to oversee every review, manage our testing process, and ensure that every piece of advice we give is honest, accurate, and puts the player first. When I'm not analyzing a casino's terms and conditions, you can usually find me testing out the latest slot releases.