If you follow australia gambling regulations 2025, one message stands out — online gambling is legal only in tightly ring‑fenced forms, with most casino-style products prohibited for Australian residents. For Kiwis, this matters because platforms serving both countries often align product features, identity checks, and marketing to Australia’s rules.
Australia’s framework splits responsibilities: the federal layer controls online gambling and advertising standards, while each state and territory licenses land-based venues, gaming machines, and casino supervision. The practical effect is a system designed to curb harm and keep wagering within defined channels, particularly sports betting.
How do gambling laws split between the federal level and each state and territory?
Short answer: Canberra sets the online rules and enforces them; each state and territory runs venue licensing, gaming machines, and casino oversight. For NZ players, that division explains why online casinos are blocked federally while poker machines flourish in some states.
At the centre are federal gambling laws that govern interactive gambling and online wagering, and state and territory laws that regulate gambling services in venues, racing, and lotteries. The federal government controls what online gambling operators can offer to australian residents, while the Australian states and territories license venues and operators that operate gaming machines, casino games, and racing bets.
- New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory, and the Northern Territory each licence gambling activities, collect gaming revenue, and enforce venue rules.
- The Australian government, via the australian communications and media authority, polices prohibited online gambling and gambling advertisements that target australian residents.
- State and territory authorities manage licensing, compliance, and harm‑minimisation at local level — this is where poker machines and electronic gaming machines policy diverges sharply.
Summary: Federal law sets the online baseline; state and territory law sets day‑to‑day rules in venues.
Definition: State and territory — Australia’s eight jurisdictions with their own parliaments and gambling regulators.
Follow-ups:
- Which state has the strictest pokies rules? Western Australia limits poker machines to the Perth casino.
- Do states differ on tax rate? Yes, rates on gaming revenue vary by jurisdiction.
- Can NZ players complain to Australian regulators? Only if the service targets australian residents; otherwise, contact the NZ operator or DIA.
- Are lotteries covered federally? Lotteries are licensed at state and territory level.
What does the Interactive Gambling Act mean for online gambling and online wagering?
The Interactive Gambling Act is the federal backbone. It bans most online casinos and online poker for australian residents, while allowing online wagering on sports betting and racing with conditions. For NZ players, expect cross‑border platforms to mirror these boundaries.
Under the interactive gambling act, prohibited interactive gambling includes online casino games such as roulette and blackjack, most real money games that simulate gaming machines, and in‑play online betting via the internet on live sports events. Permitted interactive gambling includes online wagering provided by licensed online wagering service providers or interactive wagering service providers — typically corporate bookmakers licensed by the Northern Territory or other jurisdictions.
- The australian communications and media authority (the media authority, often referred to as ACMA) enforces breaches against online gambling service providers that target Australian IPs or advertise prohibited gambling services.
- Online betting is bounded by rules on inducements, advertising timing, and identity checks; online wagering remains the legal path for sports betting and racing bets.
- Online gambling services may not offer online poker or virtual casino games to australian residents.
Summary: The interactive gambling act draws a hard line — interactive gambling on casino products is prohibited, while online wagering on racing and sports betting is permitted under licence.
Definition: Interactive gambling — gambling provided via the internet or similar platforms, covered by Australia’s federal rules.
Follow-ups:
- Can I use online gaming apps in Australia? Yes, but apps must comply with the interactive gambling act and state conditions.
- Are online gambling operators licensed federally? No; licensing for permitted products sits with a state or territory, but federal law sets what can be offered.
- Is in‑play online betting allowed? Generally no via the internet; phone wagering is the lawful channel.
- Do gambling ads face federal oversight? Yes — ACMA enforces advertising rules.
Which gambling services are permitted under state and territory licences, and how do casinos and gaming machines fit?
State and territory regimes license land‑based gambling services — casinos, gaming machines, racing, and keno. Differences are real: Western Australia restricts poker machines to the casino, while New South Wales and Queensland allow them in clubs and hotels.
Expect variety across gaming regulation:
- New South Wales — administered by gaming nsw and NSW Fair Trading — licences venues with gaming machines and sets rules for promotions and gambling ads.
- Victoria — victorian gambling policy is enforced by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (the state’s casino control commission).
- Queensland — liquor and gaming regulation is managed by the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation.
- South Australia — consumer and business services oversees licensing; the independent gambling authority historically handled approvals under the unlawful gambling act and unlawful betting act alongside the racing and betting act.
- Northern Territory — licences many corporate bookmakers and online wagering services.
- Australian Capital Territory — supervises gaming machines and a single casino.
- Tasmania — tasmanian liquor and gaming bodies set limits on electronic gaming machines.
- Western Australia — the western australian department responsible for racing and gaming keeps poker machines out of pubs and clubs.
Poker machines, gaming machines, and electronic gaming machines are all terms you will see in venue rules. Slot machines and casino games are controlled tightly by licence, and operators must comply with carded play, pre‑commitment, and other harm‑minimisation rules that some states are expanding in 2025.
Are casino table games treated differently from gaming machines?
Yes. Casino table games are typically restricted to licensed casinos, while gaming machines may be allowed more broadly in clubs and hotels in some states and territories, with caps and venue conditions.
Summary: State and territory licensing drives real‑world access to gaming machines and casinos — and rules differ widely.
Definition: Gaming machines — electronic gambling devices, including poker machines, with prescribed return‑to‑player and harm‑minimisation settings.
Follow-ups:
- Can venues operate gaming machines everywhere? No; each relevant state sets caps and locations.
- Which regulator covers Crown Melbourne? The casino control commission in Victoria.
- Is Victoria changing harm rules? Victorian gambling reforms continue to focus on pre‑commitment and carded play.
- Do states publish monthly gross revenue? Many publish gaming revenue and monthly gross revenue updates for transparency.
Who regulates what? A quick state and territory map NZ players can use
Below is a high‑level view of venue rules relevant to gambling in Australia. It illustrates why product supply differs by jurisdiction.
| Jurisdiction | Primary regulator | What’s legal online | EGMs policy | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Liquor & Gaming NSW | Wagering only | Widely in clubs/hotels | Large machine base; strong advertising rules | Liquor & Gaming NSW |
| Victoria | VGCCC | Wagering only | In venues under caps | Tighter harm‑minimisation settings | VGCCC |
| Queensland | OLGR | Wagering only | In clubs/hotels | Broad venue distribution | OLGR |
| South Australia | CBS / former IGA | Wagering only | In venues | Legacy unlawful gambling act framework | CBS |
| Western Australia | DLGSC (WA) | Wagering only | Casino only | Pokies banned in pubs/clubs | DLGSC |
| Tasmania | TLGC | Wagering only | In venues | Caps and licensing limits | TLGC |
| ACT | ACT Gambling & Racing Commission | Wagering only | In venues | One casino | ACT GRC |
| Northern Territory | NT Racing Commission | Wagering only | In venues | Licences many corporate bookmakers | NT Racing Commission |
Note: Online casinos are not licensed; online wagering is the permitted pathway across all jurisdictions.
Follow-ups:
- Where are corporate bookmakers based? Often in the Northern Territory.
- Is online poker legal under state rules? No, it is caught by the federal interactive gambling act.
- Are racing bets different to sports betting? Both are wagering, but separate racing act frameworks may apply.
- Do states publish fair trading guidance? Yes, via their fair trading or liquor and gaming agencies.
How is gambling advertising being policed in 2025, and what can NZ audiences expect to see?
Federal oversight of gambling advertising continues to tighten, with time‑of‑day limits, placement rules, and penalties for illegal inducements. NZ viewers may see fewer cross‑border gambling ads from Australia during live sporting events.
The media authority enforces restrictions on gambling advertisements across broadcast and online channels. Regulated online gambling service providers must keep marketing consistent with content rules designed to limit exposure to young people and reduce potential harm. You may also see stricter rules on targeted gambling ads tied to online wagering, with self‑exclusion lists used to suppress marketing to excluded customers.
Summary: Gambling advertising is watched closely — expect compliance pushes around sporting events and inducements.
Definition: Gambling advertisements — paid promotions for gambling services, subject to content and placement controls.
Follow-ups:
- Does ACMA block illegal sites? Yes — the australian communications and media authority can request ISP blocks.
- Are inducements banned? Many inducements are restricted or banned; details vary by state and territory.
- Will streaming platforms face rules? Yes, advertising rules apply across media.
- Are NZ ads affected? NZ rules are separate — see DIA — but spillover is possible on trans‑Tasman broadcasts.
What anti money laundering duties apply to gambling operators and corporate bookmakers?
Operators providing designated services must comply with anti money laundering controls at the federal level, including customer due diligence and reporting to the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre. That applies to corporate bookmakers and online wagering service providers.
Key elements include applicable customer identification procedures, ongoing monitoring, and reporting of suspicious matters for designated services. Federal anti money laundering expectations reach into online wagering services and land‑based venues alike, and failures can lead to significant penalties. For NZ readers, the standards echo AML obligations here, so you should expect robust ID checks and transaction monitoring on both sides of the Tasman.
- Some regulators publish enforcement outcomes and stress that gambling operators must document AML programs.
- Monthly gross revenue can inform risk reviews, but AML focuses on customer activity, not just gross gaming revenue or gaming revenue.
Summary: AML sits above every licence — if you bet, expect ID checks and monitoring.
Definition: Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre — the federal agency for AML/CTF supervision.
Follow-ups:
- Are digital currency bets allowed? Operators must treat digital currency within AML frameworks where permitted.
- Do corporate bookmakers have extra checks? Yes, because they handle higher‑risk channels for online wagering.
- Does AML cover casinos? Yes, casinos offer designated services and must comply.
- Are there EU or WHO benchmarks? International bodies like the OECD inform global AML best practice.
Key Risks and Compliance Considerations
If you are assessing online gambling operators or venue providers in Australia, these themes recur in 2025.
- Offering designated services without correct jurisdictional licence can trigger federal and state and territory enforcement.
- Advertising breaches — especially inducements — draw swift action from the media authority.
- Cross‑border supply to australian residents of prohibited interactive gambling products risks ISP blocking and penalties.
- Weak AML controls around high‑risk gambling activities increase exposure to criminal exploitation and fines.
Bottom line: compliance is not optional — the patchwork of gambling laws requires system‑level controls and regular audits.
How does the national self exclusion register support responsible gambling and address gambling addiction?
Self‑exclusion has gone national, with a single register covering many wagering channels to support responsible gambling. For NZ users, this model mirrors best practice by letting people block themselves quickly across multiple brands.
The national self exclusion register enables individuals to exclude from online wagering, interrupting access to sports betting accounts across licensed online wagering service providers. It is designed to reduce gambling addiction risk by creating a consistent block regardless of where people bet. States continue to operate venue‑based exclusions for gaming machines and poker machines in clubs, hotels, and casinos, alongside counselling services and safer gambling messaging.
Health agencies, including the WHO, recognise problem gambling as a public‑health concern. NZ players can find local guidance and helplines via DIA.
Summary: One request can block many accounts — a practical step for harm‑reduction.
Definition: Responsible gambling — policies, tools, and supports that reduce the risks linked to gambling participation.
Follow-ups:
- Does self‑exclusion cover casinos? The national tool targets online wagering; venues run their own schemes.
- Can you set deposit limits? Yes — pre‑commitment tools are common, especially for gaming machines.
- Is data shared across borders? The register applies to Australian licensees; NZ schemes are separate.
- Are online gambling services required to display help links? Yes, help and exclusion routes are standard conditions.
Where does interactive gambling cross borders for NZ and Australian residents?
Trans‑Tasman supply gets complicated. Interactive gambling rules in Australia limit what providers can show to australian residents; NZ rules differ but many brands apply the strictest common settings across both markets.
Kiwis may see online wagering features built to meet Australian requirements — stronger KYC, strict promotions, fewer live in‑play options — even when using NZ‑licensed platforms. Conversely, Australian users cannot lawfully access online casinos or online poker marketed to them, even if those sites are accessible from overseas. For both countries, responsible gambling and AML expectations remain high.
Summary: If a platform serves both countries, Australia’s rules often set the design baseline.
Definition: Australian residents — people accessing services from Australia, whom federal law aims to protect from prohibited offerings.
Follow-ups:
- Are esports treated as sports betting? Usually, yes, under online wagering.
- Can Australians use NZ‑licensed online casinos? Lawful access for australian residents is restricted under federal law.
- Are free‑to‑play real money games allowed? Real money games are the issue — free play is not the focus of the ban.
- Do operators need a NZ licence too? NZ supply requires a separate licence framework.
What does gambling in Australia look like in practice for online casinos and sports betting?
Practically, gambling in Australia channels online activity into sports betting and racing — while blocking online casinos. In venues, gaming machines are widespread in some states and territory locations, but tightly curbed in Western Australia.
- Sports betting remains the main legal online gambling vertical, with corporate bookmakers competing on odds and UX within strict advertising limits.
- Poker machines and gaming machines drive significant venue‑based activity; states cap numbers and impose harm tools.
- Casino games and casino table games stay within licensed casinos; online casinos remain off‑limits.
- Victoria’s and NSW’s reforms keep victorian gambling and gaming nsw at the forefront of harm‑minimisation.
Summary: Online wagering is the legal online channel; machines and tables are a state‑licensed, venue‑based experience.
Definition: Sports betting — wagering on sporting events carried out by licensed bookmakers under online wagering rules.
Follow-ups:
- Is online poker legal? It is generally prohibited as interactive gambling to australian residents.
- Do states issue a gambling administration guide? Yes, most publish licensing and gambling administration information.
- What about racing bets? Covered under state racing and betting act and racing act frameworks.
- Are corporate bookmakers allowed promotions? Yes, but subject to strict content rules.
Pros for NZ players tracking Australia’s model
Understanding Australia’s settings can help NZ players evaluate cross‑border platforms and policies.
- Clear federal guardrails around online gambling reduce grey‑area products.
- Strong enforcement by the media authority deters risky offers and illegal sites.
- State and territory checks on gaming machines and poker machines add layers of player protection.
- National self‑exclusion makes opting out of online wagering straightforward.
Net-net: what’s good for australian residents usually improves safety features NZ players also receive.
Cons for NZ players when platforms follow Australia’s strict rules
There are trade‑offs when a shared provider adopts Australia‑first designs.
- Fewer live in‑play options and stricter inducement limits compared with some other jurisdictions.
- Limited product breadth — no online casinos or online poker for Australian‑aligned sites.
- More friction at sign‑up and withdrawals due to applicable customer identification procedures.
Takeaway: a safer experience can mean fewer features and slower onboarding.
How are gambling industry trends shaping operators and licences in 2025?
The gambling industry in Australia is consolidating around compliant online wagering and venue‑based machines. Gambling operators face higher expectations on AML, harm‑minimisation, and transparency across state and territory markets.
- The australian gambling industry remains competitive, led by corporate bookmakers under Northern Territory licences and other state approvals.
- Regulators increasingly analyse player loss, promotions, and compliance matters across gambling activities, sometimes publishing enforcement roundups.
- Gross gaming revenue disclosures and public hearings keep pressure on governance in casinos and venues.
Summary: 2025 favours well‑governed licence holders that invest in compliance and player‑safety design.
Definition: Gambling operators — companies licensed to offer wagering, casino, or venue‑based gambling services.
Follow-ups:
- Do operators need separate state licences? Yes, by relevant state or territory.
- Is fair trading involved? Consumer‑law agencies can act on misleading promotions.
- Are there designated countries rules? Operators monitor where they can lawfully market and accept play.
- Do NZ sites mirror these standards? Often, yes — see responsible gambling guidance at DIA.
Verdict: what NZ players should remember
- Australia’s federal settings keep online gambling narrow — online wagering on racing and sports betting is in, online casinos and most interactive gambling products are out.
- States and territories run the venues — gaming machines, poker machines, and casino supervision differ widely.
- Advertising and AML oversight are increasingly strict, backed by a national self‑exclusion register and stronger identity checks.
- For Kiwis, this means many trans‑Tasman brands design for Australia’s rulebook — expect robust protections, fewer inducements, and clear boundaries on product access.
