Australian Pokies: Legal or Illegal?
If you are thinking about signing up to a virtual casino, you must be wondering about legal online pokies Australia. Of course, your actions must be within the law. Otherwise, you may face negative consequences.
As gambling popularity is rapidly growing in the region, many players face such doubts. Therefore, we decided to answer the main question – is it legal to play online pokies in Australia? Keep reading to find out more.
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Are Online Pokies Legal in Australia?
Gaming websites remain a challenge in the local market. Such casinos and the online pokies they offer are considered illegal. However, there are some exceptions. These days, the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) does ban online casinos and games, but only those that belong to local casinos. This means that Aussie gamblers can still visit legit online casino Australia registered outside the country. These casinos have licenses from other countries and if their doors are open, you can visit them being based in Australia.
Is It Illegal to Play Online Casinos and Pokies in Australia?
No, current laws do not prevent you from visiting foreign websites. In this case, you have nothing to worry about, even if you are playing your favorite games for real money. At the same time, you will not find similar services from sites registered in Australia.
Is It legal to Play Pokies and Gamble Online with AUD?
Recent research shows that 20% of Aussies aged 18-30 gamble online. However, some of them are still not familiar with the current laws and regulations. As stated, iGaming sites with one of the local licenses can only conduct land-based activities. They open offline casinos offering pokies and other games, although they are not allowed to do the same online.
So, here is a question: are online pokies legal in Australia? Yes, when it comes to offshore sites. Most of them cater to Ozzy gamblers by offering a huge gaming and no deposit bonus. What’s more, they often customize their banking tabs by adding local payment methods and AUD. Among the most popular payment methods are PayID, Paysafecard, Neosurf, Apple pay, Paypal, Visa, Trustly, Ezeewallet, Pay by Phone, Bitcoin, Google Pay. Local users can gamble with Australian bucks without spending extra money on conversion. However, if the currency is unavailable, they will have to deposit and cashout their moolah in USD, EUR, and so on. Remember to check the supported payment methods and currencies in advance.
Gambling Laws in Australia
The offline/virtual gambling situation remains complex in Australia. This is because each state is free to determine own policy towards iGaming sites. Nevertheless, all provinces fall under the overarching federal legislation known as the “Interactive Gambling Act 2001.” Keep reading to get a better understanding of the legislation and answer your main question – is online pokies legal in Australia?
What is the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA)?
Passed in 2001, the IGA is the major law ever passed in the Australian iGaming sector. Offline casinos and companies are perfectly legal, and local users are free to visit land-based casinos and wager their funds in pokies, table games, and so on. However, sites with any Australian license are not allowed to offer relevant services online. The Interactive Gambling Act has undergone several changes throughout existence. Here are some of the newest provisions:
- Local players can bet on overseas websites;
- Australian-based casinos are allowed to provide their betting services to overseas users;
- Companies must follow the rules and requirements to retain local license/s.
Australian Gambling Regulators
As mentioned, each state determines the rules and regulations when it comes to gambling. Each jurisdiction has an authority responsible for overseeing sports betting, lotteries, and casino activities. All of them are listed in the table below.
| Authority | Regulation |
|---|---|
| Queensland Office of Liquor & Gaming Regulation | It oversees liquor/gambling activities in Queensland, ensuring they are conducted responsibly and in compliance with offline/online gambling laws. |
| Victorian Gambling & Casino Control Commission | The VGCCC oversees 13,000+ casinos and carries out over 8,000 inspections of betting locations annually. |
| Liquor and Gaming NSW | Each year, the L&GNSW carries out over 150,000 inspections of gaming and liquor businesses in New South Wales. |
| Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission | The local authority oversees how iGaming sites comply with the requirements and provisions of the Gaming Control Act 1993, such as limited variety of games, deposit limits, and so on. |
| Consumer & Business Services of South Australia | The regulator is responsible for issuing/revoking licenses, as well as compliance with rules regarding gaming machines, lotteries, and other activities. |
| Western Australian Department of Racing, Gaming, and Liquor | This authority establishes regulations, issues licenses, and ensures users get the safest experience. |
| Australian Capital Territory Gambling and Racing Commission | It not only regulates gaming/racing activities in the region, but also issues licenses and ensures compliance with relevant requirements and rules. |
Can I Play Online Pokies in Australia?
Is there online pokies legal in Australia today? The answer to this question is quite simple. You will not find such games from local casinos. However, you can still play virtual pokies in Australia. Just find a suitable casino registered in any other jurisdiction.
Using Offshore Online Casinos and Pokies in Australia
First of all, let’s understand what an offshore casino is. It is a gaming website registered and licensed in any country other than Australia. When visiting such places you will find the UK, Maltese, Gibraltar, Curaçao, and other licenses.
Many of these sites provide their services in the Oz gaming market. The Interactive Gambling Act authorizes such activities, so you can visit a legal online casino Australia without breaking any laws. Here are some exciting features of legitimate overseas sites:
- Many are powered by the best providers like Pragmatic Play, Quickspin, and Yggdrasil;
- They offer pokies, table/card games, lotteries, and live dealers;
- You can play on mobile;
- AUD is often available for transactions;
- They feature a responsible gambling policy, protecting users from negative consequences.
Legality of Sports Betting and Online Casino
Players have already experienced the complexities involved in regulating casino websites in the country. However, the situation looks quite different when it comes to sports betting. The fact is that the IGA recognizes such activities as legal. Many users must be happy to hear this, but there are some limitations.
Foremost, sports betting services are only allowed provided they are offered by casinos with local licenses. That is, the bookmaker must run a legal business and fulfill the rules/requirements described in the IGA.
What types of legal betting options are available for Australian residents?
Almost all betting options you can imagine are legal. Whether you prefer football, cricket, or basketball, you can follow all such matches. The law also allows betting on horse racing and other exotic sports.
It is also worth noting that IGA provisions apply to lotteries. All such betting options are legal. Players can participate in offline and virtual lotteries on licensed sites. Before placing a bet, research the bookmaker’s website. Make sure it holds a VGCCC, L&GNSW, or any other license issued in one of the Australian states.
Conclusion
Many gamblers came here to find out whether online pokies Australia legal or illegal. It all depends on your chosen online casino. If it is registered outside the country, you will play without any prohibitions or restrictions. But if the site is based in Australia, you won’t be able to place bets on such a gambling site. Fortunately, many offshore casinos are open to AU users. Some of the best Australian pokies include Kanga Cash, Steam Tower, Panther moon, Ghostbusters and Dead or Alive. Choose one of them and enjoy legal online pokies Australia.
FAQ
Are Pokies banned in local virtual casinos?
Yes, local casinos are prohibited from running their online sites, so you won’t find their virtual slots. However, you can still spin the reels on the Internet. The solution lies in offshore sites that are not subject to IGA restrictions and regulations. This way, you can find online pokies legal in Australia.
What pokie machines are available on the Internet?
Foreign casinos offer a huge variety. Old-school machines, the latest 3D slots, Megaways options, and other games are available 24/7. Many of them also offer progressive jackpots reaching millions of AUD. Typically, these pokies are compatible with smartphones and tablets.
Can I bet with AUD?
This depends on your chosen casino. Once on one of the foreign sites, explore the banking tab. If you find Australian Dollars in the list of supported currencies, you can use them when placing bets and cashing out winnings. If the currency is not featured, you will have to use USD, EUR, or whatever.
How do I know a virtual casino is legit in AU?
Just check the license. An online casino legal Australia must feature a license issued by the Maltese Gaming Authority, UK Gambling Commission, or any other reputable regulator. In this case, you can be sure that the site has legal grounds to serve local gamblers.
