04-02-2021



  1. At What Age is it Legal to Bet in Australia? In Australia, all participants in licensed games of chance must be at least 18 years of age. Each state is responsible for its own gambling legislature, with certain regulations varying from state to state, but the legal gambling age is fixed nationwide.
  2. Casino gambling in Australia functions under the Casino Control Act of 2006, adhering to strict guidelines regarding operation, permitting the legal gambling of table games like blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps and poker.

The best Australian live dealer casinos have many things in common and they have certain unique features as well. Finding top-notch quality casinos that offer real croupiers, smooth game-play and good video streaming can be easy if players know what to look for. Many of the best mobile casino Australia sites happily allow players to enjoy their facilities for free. This is a great opportunity for new players to test-drive mobile pokies Australia games they’ve not played before. Alternatively, players can decide to test out an Australian mobile casino before spending real money on them. Country Age Notes Australia 18: Federated States of Micronesia: Dependent on State law: Chuuk - N/A (gambling illegal). Yap - N/A (gambling illegal). Kiribati: 18: Marshall Islands: N/A Gambling is illegal, with minor exceptions for non-profit bingo, raffles and cakewalks.

Gambling is one of the most popular pastimes in Australia for both locals and tourists alike – it may surprise you to hear that iconic attractions like the Sydney Opera House, Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef don’t even come close to touching the number of tourists that the country’s top casinos do!

And maybe this is because Australian casino tax is paid by the casino (as opposed to the setup in America where customers pay tax out of their winnings), or because Casino’s here offer much more than places to go and enjoy games of chance.

Many properties are entertainment complexes in their own right, and offer fully integrated resorts, great restaurants, bars and some of the best luxury accommodation in the country.

The best for gambling in Australia, then? If you’re asking this question you’ve hit your first win. There are 8 states and territories with gambling facilities in Australia which have 20 legal gambling facilities available in total, though we’ve cut this down with the following list.

Many Australian Casinos are currently closed, and supporters of the online gaming industry speculate that the pandemic will be the final blow to traditional gaming.

Very limited flights are currently available to and from Australia (as well as domestically within), and you may not be able to travel at this time. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has indicated that international travel will be off the cards until sometime in 2021.

If you find yourself needing a virtual vacation alternative, also consider the best online casino in Australia which will allow you to play without the need for a 14 day quarantine. If you are lucky enough to land in the country, these are the best land based casinos.

The Star Casino

Those visiting Australia usually start their trip in Sydney. And Star City Casino is one of Sydney’s main attractions.

One of the best casinos in Australia, it’s very easy to find yourself lost amidst the huge gaming floor, and light dazzle from almost every game imaginable. The gaming floors are open to all players, and there are both high and low stake games on offer, as well as VIP tables for the high rollers.

In a fabulous location on Darling Harbour, a stay in the five star boutique lifestyle hotel puts you right in the center of Sydney. There are award winning restaurants onsite, as well as an acclaimed nightclub and events center, a 16 room day spa and a luxury retail collection.

Casino Canberra

For those visiting Australia’s capitol, Canberra offers one of the most stylish places to gamble. Casino Canberra, in the middle of the city, is a large high class casino that caters to high rolling politicians and low rolling players.

Their onsite restaurant is one of the best in the city, though it’s a good idea to make a reservation as tables book up quickly.

Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex

Beating out the likes of Uluru, Crown Casino in Melbourne is Australia’s number one tourist attraction, welcoming 10.9 million visitors per year.

This is the largest and most successful entertainment complex in the Southern Hemisphere, and in fact one of the largest in the world.

Above the pokies for which is is famous, and a huge selection of games, there are three hotels within the complex (Crown Towers Melbourne, Crown Metropol and the Crown Promenade), as well as two restaurants by world famous Chef Gordon Ramsay, and a wide range of entertainment.

Treasury Casino & Hotel

One of Brisbane’s greatest draws, Treasury Casino & Hotel offers a 5-star heritage hotel, 6 restaurants, 5 bars, and the non-stop excitement of the city’s only casino. In terms of the casino there are over 1300 poker machines and a variety of table games across 80 tables.

$57 million has been recently spent on repurposing, restoring and maintaining the property’s historic assets, and the $5.6 million spent on stonework preservation won the Queensland Heritage Council Gold Award in both 2008 & 2014.

Jupiter’s Hotel and Casino

Another popular Queensland Casino, 10 million + flock to Jupiter’s Hotel and Casino each year, and with reasonably priced accommodation it’s an affordable destination to visit and stay.

This is the best in Gold Coast entertainment, dining and bars, and is just a short stroll from the stunning beaches for which Australia is well known. Jupiters Townsville is another QLD casino, perfectly suited for those looking to combine their love of gaming with a lush tropical setting, wonderful beaches and with the ability to spend their winnings on a quick flight to the islands of The Great Barrier Reef.

Adelaide Casino

If you’re hitting up South Australia, Adeline Casino is the place to be. This is a sprawling casino with hundreds of Pokies. Machines are continually being updated to host the latest game releases, and you’ll rarely find yourself bored or waiting for a machine.

Wrest Point Casino Tasmania

A historical landmark, Wrest Point in Hobart, Tasmania was Australia’s first legal casino to open.

Sitting on the spectacular Derwent River, it is Australia’s longest operating Casino, celebrating over forty years since opening it’s doors on February 10, 1973.

Country Club Casino

Another Tasmanian Casino, and the sister property of Wrest Point, this is one of the most laid back land based casinos you can choose to visit in Australia. There is accommodation, dining, entertainment, conference centers, and golf, and the historic Launceston casino was Tasmania’s second to open, and Australia’s third.

It offers guests a boutique experience spread across two separate gaming floors. You can experience poker, blackjack, electronic machines, sports betting, keno, and much more.

Crown Perth

Crown Perth is Western Australia’s leading casino venue, and you will be greeted with a huge selection of Pokie machines as well as plenty of table and card games to choose from.

Crown Perth is known as a city within a city. With two hotels, 30 restaurants and bars, a popular nightclub, the 24/7 casino, two concert halls, and a range of additional facilities such as a luxury day spa, retail outlets, resort-style pools, an eighteen hole golf course – you don’t find many venues which come bigger than this. The Casino is located on the banks of the Swan River, and the amazing facilities extend to cycling trails along the river.

Sky City Darwin

A popular beach-side resort and entertainment venue, Sky City is an absolute must for those visiting Darwin. Situated right on Mindil Beach, visitors have access to five star accommodation, conference halls, and the usual award winning restaurants and bars.

During peak periods however the casino becomes quite full, so consider visiting during a quieter time of the day if not in favor of queuing up to play your favorite casino games!

LUCKY LUGGAGE WE RECOMMEND: CLICK PHOTO ↓

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Photo credits: Star Sydney by llee_wu. Crown Melbourne by Paolo Rosa. Jupiters by Jason Thien.

Have you noticed that gambling laws in Australia and most countries were much more well-defined before the age of the internet?

Casino Australia Age Limit

There was no ambiguity with land-based gaming and whether or not you could play pokies or walk up to a betting window with cash in hand.

Online gambling has changed the game, though. With casinos, online casinos, bookmakers, and sports betting sites, it can be challenging to keep up with what’s on the approved list or not.

  • What’s the legal gambling age in Australia?
  • Do you have to pay taxes on gambling winnings?
  • Is in-play betting legal in online sportsbooks?

The questions can go on indefinitely. But we’ll address as many as possible in our overview of betting in the Land Down Under.

We’re covering land-based and online Australia gambling laws, how they evolved, and where they’re heading.

To fully understand Australia’s stance on gambling, we have to start with the big picture.

Australia is a bit like the US when it comes to gambling legislation. There’s a touch of federal input, especially regarding consumer protection, but the states and territories govern individual gambling laws.

Consistency With Gambling Legislation in Australia

Unlike the US, though, there’s more of a consistent approach amongst the eight regions. You’ll find at least one casino in each area, pokies are in bars and clubs except in Western Australia, and sports betting is legal in-person and online.

Distinctions emerge when you look at the little details. For example, one state may impose a $5 betting maximum on pokies in bars and clubs, while it’s $10 in another. Or, the situation in Western Australia where a casino is the only destination for gambling machines.

We’ll look at the situation in the eight regions soon, but here’s a breakdown of Australia’s gambling regulation.

LocationAgencyMore Info
Australia – nationwideThe Department of Social Servicesdss.gov.au
Australian Capital Territory (Canberra)ACT Gambling and Racing Commissiongamblingandracing.act.gov.au
New South WalesLiquor and Gaming NSWliquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au
Northern TerritoryDepartment of Business, Northern Territory Governmentnt.gov.au
QueenslandOffice of Liquor and Gaming Regulationbusiness.qld.gov.au
South AustraliaSouth Australia Business and Trade – Gamblingsa.gov.au
TasmaniaDepartment of Treasury and Financetreasury.tas.gov.au
VictoriaVictorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulationvcglr.vic.gov.au
Western AustraliaDepartment of Racing, Gaming, and Liquordlgsc.wa.gov.au

Unlike land-based gambling that varies from region to region, Australia’s online gambling laws are subject to the Interactive Gambling Bill of 2001.

2001 Interactive Gambling Bill

The Interactive Gambling Bill is easy to understand as it mentions three prohibited activities.

It’s against Australian law to do any of the following.

  • Provide a prohibited interactive gambling service to customers in Australia.
  • Provide an unlicensed regulated interactive gambling service to customers in Australia.
  • Provide an Australian-based interactive gambling service to customers in designated countries.

If you don’t read all of the language, the bill could be interpreted to include all gambling forms, but that’s not the case. This particular legislation pertains to casino gambling (table games, pokies, poker).

In a nutshell, online casinos are prohibited whether they originate from inside the country or through offshore providers.

Even though online casinos are technically off-limits for Aussies, there’s plenty of internet-based casino gambling happening in Oz.

Online betting is private. It’s not like authorities are physically looking over your shoulder while you’re on your desktop or smartphone. So, the laws apply to the providers instead of players.

The ACMA, or the Australian Communications and Media Authority, handles online gambling complaints. A few actions can be taken toward a cease and desist based on those reports, starting with a written warning and leading to some considerable fines.

Fines for breaking the Interactive Gambling Bill’s rules are as follows.

  • $1.6 million for an individual
  • $8.3 million for a corporate entity

Not too much is done to follow-up, though, even with the potential countermeasures.

The government encourages players to avoid offshore providers because they’re risking money with no available recourse of non-payment. But that’s about the extent of enforcing Australia’s online gambling laws.

Online sports betting laws in Australia are in a different category.

Not only are there thousands of traditional brick and mortar sportsbooks throughout Oz, but sports betting sites are also approved with two caveats.

  • The sports betting site must be licensed and regulated within the country.
  • In-play wagering is prohibited.

You may wonder why in-play betting is excluded. If you look at the 2001 Interactive Gambling Bill’s language, the word “interactive” is used repeatedly. It’s what sets casino gambling apart from sports betting.

Unlike pre-game action, in-play betting heads into that realm of interactive gambling. So, regardless of the ongoing protests by bookmakers, live sports betting is still off-limits.

Benefits of National Licensing

Most online betting providers are licensed in the Northern Territory, and it’s a lengthy approval process.

There are plenty of hurdles to jump for potential providers, but it’s beneficial for players. They have more confidence in risking their money, knowing they’re using thoroughly vetted gambling sites in Australia.

The Northern Territory investigates the following when issuing licenses.

  • Reputation
  • Financial background
  • Current financial resources
  • Proposed management

Pari-mutuel wagering is in the category of sports betting. It’s not an interactive activity, so Aussies can bet horse racing online, as well as in person.

The same principle applies to the lottery. While players can buy advance sale tickets using their computer or mobile device, instant play is excluded.

When in doubt about legal online gambling in Australia, turn to the word “interactive,” and you’ll have your answer.

The Land Down Under heads to the middle when it comes to its gambling legislation.

It doesn’t have 50 locations to contend with, like the US. But it’s also not as streamlined as a location like the United Kingdom, where everything falls under the jurisdiction of the UK Gambling Commission.

Australian Capital Territory

The Australian Capital Territory covers just under a half-million residents. Its gambling offerings include Casino Canberra, which opened in 1994.

There are nearly 5,000 pokies in the region, ok’d by the Gaming Machine Act of 2004. The machines are in hotels, clubs, and taverns with limits. Players can’t insert bills higher than $20 nor bet more than $10 per game.

The Race and Sports Bookmaking Act of 2001 grants authority of race and sportsbooks, both brick and mortars and online, to the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission.

Charity gambling is allowed, while poker and table games are prohibited outside of Casino Canberra.

New South Wales

Casino Australia Age

More legal gambling is happening in New South Wales than anywhere else in the country. Three casinos, The Star and Crown Casinos in Sydney and Wolf Betting Casino in Terrigal, house a small portion of the more than 100,000 pokies in the state.

New South Wales also has a $10 maximum per game unless you’re in one of the casinos, then the sky’s the limit. If you win more than $5,000, you’ll receive your payout in a check instead of cash.

The area dominates with clubs that carry machines, as well as TAB outlets. Half of all Aussie clubs and bars with pokies reside within New South Wales state lines. The area also has 1,133 brick and mortar sports betting locations in addition to the licensed online bookmakers.

While offshore casino website operators are warned but pretty much left alone, New South Wales is serious about a 2018 update to 1998’s Betting and Racing Act. The modification makes it illegal for a bookmaker to provide an inducement to players, like a new player welcome bonus.

NSW’s Office for Liquor, Gaming, and Racing is serious about the relatively new law and has already issued fines of a few thousand dollars to each policy violator.

Northern Territory

While the Northern Territory has two land-based casinos, Lasseters in Alice Springs and Mindil Beach in Darwin, it’s known more for issuing online licenses for sports betting.

The Northern Territory Government has an entire department dedicated to online gaming.

Land-based betting is a bit more limited compared to some of its sister states and territories. You’ll find a handful of TAB outlets and approximately 2,200 pokies in bars and clubs.

Gambling machines are limited to $5 bets, and winnings over $500 are issued through checks.

Queensland

Compared to the Northern Territory landscape, Queensland is hopping with 47,000 machines in hotels and clubs.

Queensland is number one for brick and mortar casinos, even edging out New South Wales.

  • The Star Gold Coast – Broadbeach
  • The Reef Hotel Casino – Cairns
  • Treasure Casino – Brisbane
  • The Ville Resort-Casino – Townsville

Gambling is under the jurisdiction of the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation. While the office has a department specifically for interactive gambling licenses, they’re primarily issued to non-profit organizations.

Queensland also imposes a $5 maximum betting limit, as well as a $25,000 ceiling on winnings in clubs or hotels. While the pokies accept cash, forget about using a hundred, as $50 will do it.

Australia casino online

Adelaide Casino, formerly Skycity Adelaide, is the only prominent gambling venue in South Australia. The Adelaide is home to 1,000 out of the 13,000 machines in the region.

While South Australia allows for $10 bets in clubs, it restricts payouts to $10,000 or less. Pokies are a bit different, though, as they only take coins. You can’t insert a bill into a machine in South Australia.

The South Australia government Consumer and Business department handles gambling licensing, as well as licenses for anyone who works for a bookmaking operation. To be certified, you have to undergo a criminal and financial background check.

The Wrest Point Hotel and Casino in Tasmania is the first in the country. It opened in 1973 in Hobart and is still going strong. Nine years later, Launceston’s Country Club Casino had its grand opening.

Like the Australian Capital Territory, there are only about a half-million residents in Tasmania. They’re well accommodated with more than 3,500 pokies. But the machines are the same as South Australia in that they don’t take bills. It’s coins only in hotels and clubs.

Casino Age Maryland

Pokies are limited to $5 maximum bets, and winnings over $1,000 are paid by check.

The Crown Melbourne Casino is the crown jewel of Victoria. The area accommodates 30,000 machines.

Victoria approved pokies in 1991, and they have similar restrictions as other areas. While you can insert a $20, $50 is the limit. Your per-game wager also has to be $5 or less, and winning over $1,000 is paid by check, similar to most of Victoria’s sister states.

Residents can take advantage of some specific gambling inclusions in Victoria, including the following.

  • Betting on approved foot and bicycle races
  • Games at amusement parks and carnivals
  • Approved Calcutta sweepstakes
  • Two-up at ANZAC day

The other seven states and territories have approved pokies in bars, clubs, and hotels. New South Wales gave the go-ahead starting in 1956, but Western Australia has taken a different stance.

While you can still play any of the 1,750 gambling machines in the area, they’re all located within the Crown Perth Casino, formerly the Burswood Casino.

It’s more a case of quality over quantity in Western Australia. Maximum bets can be as high as $225, and the minimum RTP is slightly higher than in other locations. The pokies need to have at least a 90% RTP, while other regions hover around the 85% mark.

1913 World’s first automatic totalisator invented in Australia by George Julius
1916 First Golden Casket Lottery held in Queensland
1956 The Clubman poker machine introduced by Ainsworth Consolidated Industries
1956 Following the release of the Clubman, pokies are approved in New South Wales for clubs and pubs
1973 The first casino in Australia, the Wrest Point Hotel Casino, opens in Hobart, Tasmania
1976 Australian Capital Territory approves pokie machines
1991 Victoria approves pokie machines
1992 South Australia approves pokie machines
1996 Interactive sports betting legalized in the Northern Territory
1998Northern Territory approves pokie machines

FAQ About Gambling Laws in Australia

Casino Australia Age

Australians visiting casinos, playing pokies, or placing sports bets need to be at least 18 years of age.

How can I place a sports bet in Australia?

Pokies and sports betting are the top two gambling activities in the Land Down Under. Placing a sports bet is as easy as pulling out your smartphone and accessing one of the many state-regulated online bookmakers.

If you prefer to place your bet in person, you’ll find thousands of TAB outlets, primarily in hotels, clubs, and taverns.

No. Australia doesn’t impose a tax on player gambling winnings.

Are Australian bookmakers licensed and regulated?

Yes. All bookmaking operations, casinos, and pokie providers are licensed and regulated by one of the eight agencies, depending on location.

Providers and their staff go through a thorough background check that includes reputation, finances, and viability.

Can I play slots and table games online in Australia?

Australia’s online gambling laws, specifically the Interactive Gambling Bill of 2001, prohibit casino gaming, or “interactive” gambling. While bookmakers can apply for an online license, casinos are strictly land-based operations.

The legislation is directed toward the offshore providers that accept Australians, but that hasn’t deterred providers or players.

Is it legal to buy a lottery ticket online in Australia?

Yes, and no.

Casino australia age requirement

Purchasing a draw ticket is permissible. But instant lottery tickets fall under the interactive category, which is off-limits in Oz.

What’s the situation with online bingo in Australia?

Online bingo is legal for Aussies, but only through licensed providers.

Can I bet on horse racing through Australia’s bookmakers?

A: Yes. Pari-mutuel wagering is legal in Australia. You can place your bets through both land-based and online racebooks in Australia.

Will Aussie players be legally compelled to settle gambling debts?

Yes. Australian punters are obligated to make good on their gambling debts. However, the scenario should only apply to casino high rollers.

Since 2018, bookmakers are prohibited from extending credit to players.

Can I take advantage of online gambling new player bonuses?

If you’re using an Australia-licensed online sportsbook, you won’t find any welcome incentives anymore.

Just as player credit has been off the table since 2018, so have gambling site welcome awards.

What’s the situation with Daily Fantasy Sports in Australia?

Instead of dedicated DFS websites, Aussie punters can participate in Daily Fantasy Sports through Australia’s licensed online bookmakers.

ACMA, or the Australian Communications and Media Authority, provides oversight for federal gambling laws in Oz.

It handles consumer complaints regarding prohibited online gambling activities, including casino gambling, instant lotteries, in-play betting, and player credit.

Are there national resources available to problem gamblers in Australia?

Yes. The Australian Government’s Department of Social Services offers gambling help for players and their families and friends. There are also financial counseling services.

  • Gambling help online – www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
  • National Gambling Helpline – 1800 858 858

While we can’t foresee what the future holds, Australia isn’t currently focusing on expanding its list of gambling and online gambling opportunities.

Instead of proposed changes to Australian online gambling laws, the government focuses on tightening current restrictions. There’ve been a few changes to the 2001 Interactive Gambling Bill, providing more player protection.

New Player Bonuses or Enticements

New South Wales passed new gambling legislation in 2018, eliminating new players’ incentives to use online bookmaking services.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported eight providers were already fined a total of $131,950 plus another $184,000 in court costs in less than a year.

In-play betting continues to be a hot topic in Australia.

Bookmakers fight against the restriction while gambling regulatory agencies are ramping up compliance efforts.

Advertising Restrictions

Since 2018, TV advertising from state-regulated bookmakers has been restricted to certain hours to avoid “family-time.”

Some regions, like Victoria, are striving to ban other advertising methods, like billboards and public transportation. Aussies can expect gambling advertising to be a highly debated topic moving forward.

As Australians lose an average of $24 billion through gambling pursuits, the federal government and the states and territories focus on player protection above gambling expansion.

There are some minor inconsistencies amongst Australia’s gambling regulatory agencies. However, overall, there’s an easy formula associated with gambling and online gambling laws in Australia.

Casino gaming is legal in any of the land-based gambling venues across the country, and there’s at least one casino in every state and territory. Online casinos aren’t licensed and regulated in the Land Down Under. Slots and table game betting fall under the interactive category, which is off-limits.

Sports betting, pari-mutuel wagering, and daily fantasy sports are approved. Daily fantasy sports are exclusively online, but sports and horse racing bets can be placed in person or through licensed online bookmakers. Australia also allows for online lottery sales, but only draw tickets, as instant play is interactive.

The legal gambling age in Australia is 18, and players aren’t taxed on winnings.