Responsible Gambling in Australia
Responsible gambling means gambling is something you choose and control. You set limits on your money and time, you accept that the odds favour the house, and you stop when it stops being fun. Gambling is entertainment, not a way to earn money or to get out of financial trouble. Only ever spend what you could comfortably spend on a night out, and treat it as gone.
This page explains the law in Australia, the warning signs of problem gambling, the tools that can help you stay in control and where to find free, confidential support.
Online casinos and the law in Australia
Under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 it is illegal to provide online casino games to people physically in Australia. This includes online pokies, roulette, blackjack, poker and craps. The ban applies to operators wherever they are based. It targets the providers, not the players. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) enforces it and orders internet service providers to block illegal sites.
Licensed online wagering, such as sports and race betting, and lotteries are legal in Australia. No online casino is legal or licensed for players in Australia, and nothing on this site should be read as saying otherwise.
Minimum age
You must be at least 18 years old to gamble in Australia. If you have children or teenagers at home, keep your betting accounts, passwords and payment cards secure and out of their reach.
Warning signs of problem gambling
Gambling problems can creep up slowly. Be honest with yourself if any of these sound familiar:
- You spend more money or time gambling than you planned.
- You chase losses, betting more to try to win back what you've lost.
- You borrow money, use credit or sell things to gamble or pay gambling debts.
- You hide your gambling or lie about it to family and friends.
- You feel restless, irritable or anxious when you try to cut back.
- Gambling is affecting your work, study, sleep or relationships.
- You gamble to escape stress, boredom or low mood.
- Bills, rent or groceries go unpaid because of gambling.
If one or more of these apply to you or someone close to you, it's a good time to reach out for help. You don't need to wait until things get worse.
Tools to help you stay in control
Many gambling providers offer tools that let you set boundaries before you start. Look for them in your account settings:
- Deposit limits: cap how much you can deposit per day, week or month.
- Time limits and reminders: get alerts showing how long you've been playing, or set a maximum session length.
- Time-outs: take a short break from your account for a set period, from a day to several weeks.
- Self-exclusion with an operator: close your account and block yourself from that provider for a longer period.
Simple habits help too: decide on a budget before you start, never gamble when you're upset or have been drinking, keep track of what you spend, and balance gambling with other activities.
BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register
BetStop is a free Australian Government register. Once you register, licensed Australian online and phone wagering providers cannot let you bet, open new accounts or send you marketing.
To sign up, go to the BetStop website and follow the registration steps. You can also ask the National Gambling Helpline to support you through the process.
BetStop covers licensed online and phone wagering, such as sports and race betting. Online casino games are not legally offered to people in Australia at all, so BetStop is not a register for them.
Where to get help
Free, confidential support is available any time you need it, whether you're worried about your own gambling or someone else's.
National Gambling Helpline / Gambling Help Online
Talk to a trained counsellor by phone on 1800 858 858, or visit Gambling Help Online for online counselling, information and self-help resources. Family members and friends affected by someone's gambling can get support too.
The regulator: ACMA
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) enforces the ban on illegal online gambling services under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. It acts against operators that offer prohibited services to people in Australia and orders internet service providers to block illegal sites. You can find more information on the ACMA website.
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