Online gambling regulation in Australia

Prohibited. Part 7A Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (Cth); parliamentary materials reference a ‘section 61EA’ majority-audience condition for online ads.

Part 7A IGA prohibits advertising of prohibited and unlicensed regulated interactive gambling services; applies to online content where majority of audience is in Australia.

Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for online gambling and advertising; state/territory regulators license wagering services — www.acma.gov.au

Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (Cth) (IGA)

Online casino: Prohibited. Online sports betting: Licensed.

The regulator publishes a register of licensed operators. ACMA publishes a ‘Register of licensed interactive gambling provider’ listing trading name, URL, and licensing authority.

https://www.acma.gov.au/check-if-gambling-operator-legal

• ISP/domain blocking by ACMA against illegal offshore sites
• Civil and criminal penalties for illegal supply and advertising under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA)
• Infringement notices, formal warnings, enforceable undertakings, Federal Court civil penalty actions
• Notifying Department of Home Affairs to place directors on Movement Alert List

• Must not advertise prohibited or unlicensed interactive gambling services (Part 7A IGA)
• Must not promote illegal online gambling; ACMA notes ‘Promoting illegal online gambling breaks the law’
• Broadcast and online ads must comply with gambling-ad rules under Broadcasting Services Act codes, enforced by ACMA
• State/territory licence conditions apply; additional local ad restrictions may apply

• ACMA quarterly report April–June 2025 recorded 30 breach findings, including for unlicensed services and illegal advertising.
• By 2025 ACMA reported hundreds of ISP blocks against illegal offshore gambling sites as a key disruption tool.
• Parliamentary committee report highlighted IGA limitations on online advertising prohibitions (e.g. section 61EA majority-audience test).

• Exact section numbers for each offence (e.g. advertising provisions, majority-audience test) not quoted to avoid mis-citation.
• Detailed, current 2026 state/territory-specific advertising conduct rules for licensed bookmakers not fully verified.
• Precise date and content of any 2026 IGA amendments beyond sources cited not fully confirmed.
• Whether any specific prediction-market product is currently approved by ASIC/holding an AFSL in Australia.
• Whether particular sweepstakes/social-casino offers are lawful under Australian Consumer Law versus gambling law on the exact facts.
• Whether any specific loot-box implementation is treated as gambling or only as a consumer/product issue under current Australian guidance.

1. acma.gov.au/investigations-online-gambling-providers
2. acma.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-12/Sub-96-Australian-Communications-and-Media-Authority.pdf
3. practiceguides.chambers.com/practice-guides/gaming-law-2025/australia
4. acma.gov.au/publications/2025-07/report/action-interactive-gambling-april-june-2025
5. acma.gov.au/online-gambling-compliance-and-investigations
6. acma.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-01/IGA%2012-month%20report_FINAL%20pdf.pdf
7. acma.gov.au/check-if-gambling-operator-legal
8. gaming-australia.com/regulation-policy/acma-enforcement-powers-operators-guide-2026-2/
9. pokersites.org/au
10. dazardbet-austria.com/poker/
11. pokernews.com/sites/australia.htm
12. riverodds.app/poker-in-australia/
13. thestraight.com.au/24-million-sanction-acma-get-serious-in-action-against-illegal-gambling-operators/
14. lawpath.com.au/blog/legal-play-online-poker-australia
15. tips.gg/article/is-online-gambling-legal-in-australia-basics/
16. betsquare.org/en-au/legal-aspects-of-online-gambling/
17. iclg.com/practice-areas/gambling-laws-and-regulations/australia
18. casinoa.org/are-sweepstakes-casinos-legal-australia-gambling-reform-2026/
19. legislation.gov.au/Details/C2023C00490
20. legislation.gov.au/C2004A00851/latest/text
21. sweepstakes-casino.world/legal-guide/
22. asic.gov.au/regulatory-resources/find-a-document/regulatory-document-updates/regulatory-tracker/regulatory-tracker-2024
23. tech-insider.org/prediction-markets/prediction-market-categories-explained/
24. oia.pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/posts/2021/04/ris-product-intervention-otc-binary-options-published-1-april-2021.docx
25. mexc.com/learn/article/best-polymarket-alternatives-2026-39-countries-blocked-so-where-can-you-actually-trade-/1
26. spark.money/tools/bitcoin-prediction-market-comparison
27. gamedeveloper.com/business/games-featuring-paid-loot-boxes-will-soon-receive-a-mandatory-m-rating-in-australia
28. infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/australian-government-respoinse-online-gambling-inquiry.pdf
29. xsolla.com/blog/regulating-chance-based-rewards-legal-challenges-and-emerging-standards-in-gaming
30. classification.gov.au/about-us/media-and-news/news/new-classifications-for-gambling-content-video-games

Researched 2026-09-21 from public sources and summarised by the Brandfense team. Not legal advice — confirm with the regulator or your counsel before acting.