Aussies have been gambling for centuries now. From a simple bet on a horse race or a cricket match to a modern spin on the roulette wheel at online casinos, players in Australia are some of the biggest gambling fans. Even though the first official, legal casino in Australia opened in the 70s, people used to bet and gamble much earlier. These days, gambling has become one of their favorite pastimes, and the laws have changed tremendously since.
In this article, we’ll tell you all about gambling in Australia and how the laws changed throughout the years.
Online Gambling in Australia Today
There are hundreds of casinos spread across Australian territories and states, but many Aussies still prefer online gambling. Technology and the online world have made it possible for everyone of age to play these days using a VPN.
Punters only need to go online, find a casino they trust, and gamble away! This gives them a pool of options they could never find in a physical casino without the need to travel to one. But as stated on the aussielowdepositcasino site, it is important to pick only reliable casinos and remember about responsible gambling.
The Interactive Gambling Act of 2001 regulates online gambling in the country. The Act targets online gambling operators and prohibits them from offering real money online interactive gambling to the country’s residents. They also can’t advertise such services to Australian citizens.
Any operator that offers their service to Australian players is penalized based on the IGA. The IGA doesn’t criminalize the activity of players but punishes those who offer such activities within its borders, which is why you will hardly find any native-licensed casino in Australia that accepts Aussie players.
Where do Aussies Gamble?
Interestingly, while casinos and sportsbooks that operate in Australia aren’t available to players, there is no law prohibiting you from gambling at offshore casinos. Players are still given many choices to play – they are spoilt with choices.
Whether you are a fan of the pokies, a poker player, or like to indulge in some bingo or keno, you can find just about anything online. From classic fruit slots to gambling anime games to live dealer titles like Blackjack and Poker, top casinos online now offer players thousands of games to choose from – with new titles appearing on the market daily.
Legality of Gambling in Australia Today
In Australia, the legislation for gambling differs between different states. Since the introduction of more versatile gambling options, such as online gambling, the industry has been regulated more actively, both by the Commonwealth and the State and Territory authorities. These include the:
- NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority
- Northern Territory Licensing Commission and Racing Commission
- Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission
- Department of Racing, Gaming, and Liquor for Western Australia
- ATC Gambling and Racing Commission
- Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) in Queensland
- Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR)
Traditionally, all forms of gambling in Australia are legislated at a territory and state level rather than by the Commonwealth. Winnings from gambling are not taxable, and the government taxes the operators instead.
Self-Regulatory Initiatives
In August 2023, the government introduced an initiative called BetStop, which is the country’s National Self-Exclusion Register, a free service that allows any Australian of legal age with a Medicare card or driver’s license to exclude themselves from casinos and phone wagering services.
Also, the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill of 2023 prohibited the use of credit cards for online gambling when using regulated interactive gambling services. This includes payments made from credit cards or credit card-linked accounts or services, but not debit cards.
History of Gambling in Australia
Australia wasn’t always the gambling hub it is today. Nowadays, it is one of the most luxurious casino destinations where people go to play, and this hasn’t even begun to cover the number of online gamblers.
18th century: From the 18th century, games like betting on horse races and card games became popular among the country’s early settlers.
19th century: Thanks to the gold rush in the mid-19th century, the interest in gambling has grown in the country. At this point, miners actively participated in different forms of gambling to accumulate wealth or have fun.
1910s: It wasn’t until the 1910s -1920s that the Australian government introduced regulations to control gambling within its borders. This included their introduction of licensing for bookmakers and stricter laws for certain forms of gambling.
1950s: Off-course betting on horse races was legalized in the 1950s, making a big development in the industry in Australia. At this point, the country established Totalizator Agency Boards, or TABs, used to manage off-course betting.
1973: The first legal casino in Australia opened in Hobart, Tasmania, and was called the Wrest Point Hotel Casino. This marked the official beginning of the casino industry in the country as we know it.
1990s: The 1990s marked advancement in gambling worldwide, and Australia didn’t fall short. This period marks the rise of electronic gaming machines or, as we know them, pokies. Pokies led to a major expansion of gambling options, especially in clubs and pubs across the country.
2001: In 2001, the Australian government passed the Interactive Gambling Act, which regulates online gambling services for Australian residents. Unfortunately, Aussie-licensed online casinos cannot legally operate in Australia.
Wrapping Up
The gambling industry has grown tremendously in the country, and while not all forms of gambling are legal even today, the progress is amazing. The government is doing very little to prevent online gambling, and there aren’t any laws preventing players from doing this, which makes it a famous activity in the country.
In terms of gambling in physical casinos and similar establishments, Australia has advanced quite a lot in terms of regulations and laws since the past. The best part is that winnings aren’t taxable, which is part of the reason why players are so eager to play in Australia!
