Legal Online Pokies Australia 2024 – Licensed and Legit
- Last Updated: 2024 October 3
- Written by: Helen Dear
- Reviewed by: Taylor Auten
- ✅Facts checked by: Taylor Auten
With the rising popularity of virtual gambling across the continent, numerous players are questioning what legal online pokies Australia are. These days, in fact, online gambling is officially legal in Australia. Because of this, some may think that the doors to virtual casinos are open. This is not the case. Online casino sites are banned on the continent, and those who visit them are breaking the relevant laws.
At first glance, the situation is confusing and even frightening for some users. So, we decided to create a guide where we take a detailed look at the current gambling in Australia laws and legal casinos for the best online gambling experience.
Remember, we created this article to help players from Australia better understand whether it is possible to play slot machines and casinos. You can rely on our study, but if you are not sure of your situation, we recommend contacting lawyers. Or write your question to us – we will answer within 1 day.
Fast Summary:
- Online casinos and gambling sites, as well as slot machines, are considered not legal in Australia, even for Australian operators. The current law on interactive gambling from 2001 (IGA) completely prohibits the provision of these services to Australia residents.
- However, the participation of individuals in online casinos and slot machines through offshore websites is not illegal. That is, players can play in foreign online casinos of Australia.
- Sports and lottery bets are officially legal and allowed throughout Australia. But there is an amendment if you do it through a licensed operator.
Best Casinos with Legal Online Pokies Australia (October 2024)
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Play Free Legal Online Pokies
Interesting Facts About Legal Pokies and Casinos Among Australians
Australians are known for their passion for lotteries, pokies, and other gambling games. There are 15+ land based casinos across the country, but most users play casino games online. If you consider yourself a true gambler from Oz who likes playing online casino games, you should know the following facts:
- There are 6.8 million active gamblers in online Australian casinos, which is about 40% of the country’s population;
- Non-professional Australian gamblers are exempt from taxes on winnings;
- There are over 200,000 pokie machines in Australia, which is 19% of the world’s pokies;
- Most Aussies (75%) are involved in lotteries which are absolutely legal among Australia online gambling games.
Are Online Pokies Legal in Australia?
If Australian residents and online gamblers want to know is online pokies legal in Australia in the best online casino site, we have to disappoint them. As stated, the IGA prohibits interactive gambling services: pokies as well as blackjack, roulette, and other online games. On the other hand, you will not encounter any obstacles when visiting offshore casinos. Many companies registered in other jurisdictions are happy to have Australian residents on their websites.
Using Offshore Online Casinos and Pokies in Australia
First, let’s look at the nature of offshore online casino games sites and how they differ from others. They include the best online casinos with registration outside Australia. For example, many online casinos registered in the UK are subject to local legislation and regulations to be available to Australian residents. Accordingly, there are two points we need to highlight:
- The advantage is that Australian bans do not apply to offshore online gambling legal casinos – only several legislation rules;
- Australian residents can visit such casinos to gamble, grab a welcome bonus, cash out wins, and so on.
However, not all such online gambling business companies are equally safe and fair for Australian players. Some of them operate without a license and they cannot provide a safe environment.
Once you land on one such website, check its license, security measures, and other critical details. It would not be out of place to browse through the players’ reviews. You can also make use of our online gambling site bonzerpokies.com, where only reliable casinos for Australian players are mentioned.
Legal Situation With Online Pokies and Casinos in Australia
Most of you have come to bonzerpokies.com to find the answer to the main question – is it legal to play online pokies in Australia with sites that are gambling operators? After analysing the situation and legislation, we have come to the conclusion that such activities are illegal. This also applies to the online gambling industry: blackjack, craps, poker, and roulette you can gamble online.
What about finding a legal online casino Australia? As stated, most Australian casino sites are banned within the country. However, local users are not prohibited from visiting offshore casinos, including the best crypto casinos (those registered in other jurisdictions).
Gambling Regulatory Levels: Gambling Laws in Australia
The online gaming business is regulated at the federal level as well as individually by each state. The former establishes a general framework for gambling regulation. Each state makes individual decisions on licenses, opening Australian operators to provide gambling, and so on.
According to recent statistics, 96% of Australian adults gamble, and many face addiction. Therefore, most laws are aimed at responsible and limited gambling.
What is the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA)?
Understanding the basics of the IGA is essential for those who want to find out how to play online pokies legal in Australia. The document was signed in 2001 with the aim of placing severe restrictions on internet casinos. Since then, virtual sports betting and online casinos have been illegal on the continent. There are two basics about it we need to highlight:
- The Interactive Gambling Act refers specifically to gambling sites. They cannot provide their services in the Aussie market, yet users are allowed to bet on offshore websites;
- You can find an online casino legal Australia registered in another country, and your activities do not break the law.
To combat illegal gambling, the IGA gambling law for responsible gambling was modified in 2017. The amendments prohibited internet providers from advertising non-licensed casinos. The fines for violating the Australian laws reach $1.665 million for individuals and $8.325 million for corporations.
Australian Gambling Regulators
Regulations and restrictions for any online gambling site vary from one state to another. Moreover, each AU jurisdiction features a regulatory body responsible for overseeing offline/online casinos with the best live dealer games, lotteries, and real money games.
| Region or state | Regulatory body |
|---|---|
| Australian Capital Territory | ACT Gambling and Racing Commission |
| New South Wales | Liquor & Gaming NSW |
| Queensland | Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation |
| Northern Territory | Licensing NT |
| South Australia | Consumer and Business Services |
| Tasmania | Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission |
| Victoria | Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation |
| Western Australia | Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor |
Why are Online Casinos Banned in Australia?
This is a very popular question among players on offshore gambling sites. Online gambling sites are legal as they work with licenses, and they are extremely popular with their deposit bonuses, playing online pokies and live casino games, and enjoyable online gambling experience. However, it is impossible to find a legit online casino Australia registered in this country because such sites are banned.
There are several reasons for this. Foremost, the Australian government has concerns about moolah laundering, addiction, and the involvement of underage players in offshore gambling sites. Also, real online gambling sites with licenses from famous bodies are easier to regulate than most online casinos working only inside the Oz, where users can hide their data and age, participate in fraudulent schemes with a deposit bonus, etc.
Legality of Online Sports Betting and Lotteries
While online pokies Australia legal status is in question, the IGA allows activities like sports betting, particularly sports predictions and lotteries on the Internet. The only requirement is that these services must be provided by legitimate companies licensed in one of the AU states.
If Australian players have found an online bookmaker that meets the mentioned requirement, they can bet on sporting events and participate in lotteries. Your activities do not violate any laws in this case.
Top Bookmakers in Oz
More than 100 bookmakers are represented on the Aussie market these days. However, we believe that users deserve the best service. Therefore, we have selected the bookmakers whose sites you should visit first. They include the following:
- Betfair;
- Bet365;
- PickleBet;
- Unibet;
- Tradie Bet.
Steps to Play Online Pokies Legally
As you can already see, the question “Is there online pokies legal in Australia” has both positive and negative answers. However, it is not a problem for the majority of local gamers to play on offshore sites. Just follow our instructions:
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STEP 1
Choose a casino
Select one of the recommended offshore casinos with online casino games and open doors. You can use the lists and reviews on our site.
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STEP 2
Register on the casino website
Create and fund an Australian online casino account.
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STEP 3
Choose a games
Pick a suitable pokie in the best Australian online casino.
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STEP 4
Manage your stakes
Adjust the bet/active lines and spin the reels to play games.
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STEP 5
Withdraw winnings
Claim your winnings if any and place another stake.
Cryptocurrency in Legal Gambling
In Australia, while gambling using traditional currency is regulated by the Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) of 2001, the use of cryptocurrency in gambling remains in a gray area. The IGA does not specifically address the use of digital currencies, which means that Australians are allowed to use offshore online casinos that accept cryptocurrencies. These casinos operate under international licenses from jurisdictions like Malta, Curacao, or Gibraltar, making it legal for Australian players to gamble with cryptocurrency on these platforms.
Cryptocurrency offers several benefits in online gambling, including enhanced privacy, fast transactions, and lower fees compared to traditional payment methods. Since transactions with cryptocurrencies are decentralized, players can enjoy quicker deposits and withdrawals without relying on traditional banks. This is especially attractive for gamblers who value anonymity, as cryptocurrency transactions do not require personal information to be shared with the casino.
Here is a list of commonly accepted cryptocurrencies in online gambling:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- Litecoin (LTC)
- Ripple (XRP)
- Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
- Tether (USDT)
- Dogecoin (DOGE)
- Cardano (ADA)
Each of these cryptocurrencies offers unique advantages in terms of transaction speed, fees, and security, allowing Australian players to choose the option that best suits their needs when gambling online. However, it’s always important to check the legitimacy of the casino and ensure it’s licensed under a reputable authority.
Safe Playing Pokies Online
Due to the current situation in Australia, gamblers have to spend time searching for suitable offshore online casinos. Besides, some of them are not trustworthy as they do not meet the safety and integrity requirements. To avoid such gambling sites, you have to check various criteria, particularly license, portfolio, banking options, Australian online casinos reputation, and so on, or use our experts’ reviews.
Legal Online Pokies Real Money in Oz
An average site with online casino games in Australia features 2,000+ pokies with different themes, mechanics, incentives, etc. They are developed by numerous studios, including NetEnt, Quickspin, Yggdrasil, Play’n GO, and Microgaming. If you don’t know which pokies to start with, check out the biggest hits in reputable online casinos.
Future of Online Gambling in Australia
Discussions about possible changes to current Australian iGaming laws are taking place at the highest levels. Some are unhappy that the bans have increased the activity of local players on offshore sites (by 29% in 2023). There is also the issue of potential tax revenue that the Australian government could collect if online gambling services were legalised and regulated.
Recently, there have been some calls for the Australian government to reevaluate the IGA and potentially introduce new legislation for online casinos and pokies. However, as of now, there has been no concrete proposal or timeline for such changes in Australian online casinos.
Our Final Judgment
Given the current Aussie regulations, the answer to the question “Are online pokies legal in Australia?” is “No”. Nevertheless, local users are not prohibited from gambling on offshore top Australian online casinos registered in other jurisdictions. You can legally play pokies and other games knowing that you are not breaking the gambling laws, as well as take part in online sports betting services.
We earnestly anticipate forthcoming amendments to the Interactive Gambling Act. Such revisions hold various advantages for the government, while also providing players with access to fully legal online pokies Australia for gaming for real moolah.
FAQ
Are there any legal online pokies in Australia?
Online pokies are banned and they are considered illegal in Oz. However, you can find them on the sites of offshore casinos.
Can you play pokies online for real money in Australia?
Certainly, numerous online casinos in Oz provide slot games, as well as poker games, classic table games, and live dealer games to play for moolah. It’s crucial to exercise caution and ensure you select a reputable one.
What are the safest online pokies in Australia?
These games are found in licensed casinos, ensuring a safe and protected environment. You can pick any.
Is online gambling a problem in Australia?
Yes, given that online gaming and virtual casinos are recognised as illegal. On the other hand, gamblers easily evade the existing restrictions with offshore casinos with a generous welcome bonus and progressive jackpots.
Why is Stake banned in Australia?
Current laws including prohibit sites from Oz, and Stake is one of them. However, you can play on many sites with licenses from the UK Gambling Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority, for example.
What regulatory authorities monitor the legalism online pokies?
In international online casinos offering their services to Australian players, the standards of such regulatory authorities as Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and Curacao Egaming are observed. These organizations ensure the honesty of games and protect the interests of players.
What licenses should be legal online casinos?
Legal online casinos should have licenses from recognized international regulatory authorities, such as Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) or Curacao Egaming. These licenses confirm that the casino complies with strict security and honesty standards.
What Resources Are Available for Gambling Addiction in Australia?
Australia offers a variety of support services for individuals struggling with gambling addiction. Resources like Gambling Help Online provide free, confidential assistance, including counseling and self-help tools. Additionally, organizations such as Lifeline (13 11 14) and the National Gambling Helpline (1800 858 858) are available to offer 24/7 support. Many online casinos also include responsible gambling features, such as deposit limits and self-exclusion options, to help players manage their gaming habits responsibly.
