Gambling laws in Australia
Australia is divided into eight provinces, and each province, like its Canadian neighbors across the ocean, has its own set of rules governing gaming. Each state and territory in Australia, including the ACT, NSW, WA, NT, QLD, SA, and TASS, has its own authority to regulate the industry.
In each jurisdiction, there are several legislative acts governing gambling operations, which were enacted at different eras, ranging from the 1960s to the 2000s. It’s illegal to wager on the outcome of a game while it’s happening. Sporting events that have already begun are not authorized to be bet on by Australian citizens, even if the service is provided by an Australian-based sportsbook.
Online gambling is regulated under the Interactive Gambling Amendment of 2016 and the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001, both of which were enacted in 2001.
Gambling culture in Australia
There are many gamblers in Australia. Some 80 percent of Australian people were found to be involved in some type of gambling in 2007, and we’d wager that figure hasn’t reduced since then. An incredible $209 billion was wagered by Australians between 2016 and 2017. On an annual basis, that equates to nearly $11,000 per individual.
Spectator events like the Melbourne Cup horse racing draw huge crowds due to the high popularity of sports betting in Australia. Numerous sportsbooks may be found all around the country. Slot machines, more commonly referred to as ‘pokies,’ are another popular form of gambling. It’s easy to find these machines at places such as casinos, taverns, clubs and restaurants. Australians also like playing lotteries, keno, and scratch cards, which provide an alternative to the conventional casino or bar setting.
Land-based casinos in Australia
In Australia, there are now 20 land-based casinos, one in each of the country’s states and territories. Roulette, pokies, blackjack, and other casino games are available at these establishments. Fine eating and entertainment options, as well as resort-style lodging, are common features of these locations.
Poker has seen a return in popularity, which is worth noting. He became the first Australian to win the World Series of Poker in 2005 when Joe Hachem took home $7.5 million. When Hachem won the World Series of Poker, he set off the “poker boom,” which saw a surge in demand for Texas Hold’em and other forms of the game.
Online gambling in Australia
There are a lot of online casino providers for the Australian public, so many in fact that it could be a bit tough for a newcomer to pick out the ideal casino to play at. This is why it’s a good idea for new players to conduct some research and take a look at the offers from new Aussie operators compared with each other so that they can learn the difference between each provider while seeing which one’s set of particular advantages could suit them best.
It is the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001 that we, as internet gamblers, are most concerned about. When it comes to this action, it’s intriguing leaving them with a directive towards gamers, but rather at game developers. By passing this law, Australia became the first country to attempt to rein in the rapidly growing online gambling business.
In a nutshell, the IGA forbids the sale of unauthorized iGaming items to Australian residents. In addition, gamers from outside Australia cannot access iGaming goods developed in Australia.
Slots, roulette, poker, and a slew of other common casino games are all included in the aforementioned offerings. Only in-game wagering is legal for sports betting, horse racing, and automobile racing.
With fines starting at $220,000 for people and $1.1 million for corporations, the IGA empowers the Australian government to crack down on businesses that violate these restrictions. This legislation, while implying a broader reach than only within Australian borders, in fact has no teeth. There is no restriction on Australians playing online casino games and many operators outside of Australia enable Australians to register and participate.
An update to the International Game Agreement (IGA) was enacted in 2016. The original statute had introduced a number of loopholes, particularly by enabling in-game betting to be done over the phone. As a result of the crackdown on online poker, top online gambling firms have decided to leave Australia. This does not, of course, mean that Australians may no longer play at online casinos, and there have been no consequences for this type of behaviour.
Online casino licensing
Gambling is regulated by individual states and territories, and these agencies are typically also in charge of liquor licensing. It is the job of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to guarantee that operators are adhering to the regulations.
No online or land-based gambling operations may be licensed by the Australian government, therefore gamers who are seeking an Australian-licensed online casino will have to wait a long time. As a result, players may determine the quality of an online casino by looking at its license from other well-known organizations.
If a casino is regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority and/or the UK Gambling Commission, players may rely on these to determine whether or not the casino is worth their time.
Gambling age restrictions
In Australia, the legal gambling age is 18 years old. People under the age of 18 will not be able to use land-based casinos, online sports betting, or any of the other internet gambling products that are available to those over 18. Australia’s legal age limit of 18 coincides perfectly with the age limit of no respectable online casino.
