Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation

Each state and territory has a relevant Casino Control Act (or similar legislation) under which casino licences have been issued. 2.2 Where Licences are available, please outline the structure of the relevant licensing regime. Bingo is often regarded as minor gaming and may be conducted for fundraising or charitable purposes, typically by a community or other not-for-profit organisation. Corporate Bookmakers typically also offer ‘totalisator-derivative’ or ‘tote odds’ type betting. There are many pieces of legislation that are incidental to gambling activity (for example, legislation setting the applicable gambling tax rates).
The use of digital currencies (including cryptocurrency) for gambling purposes is not common in the jurisdiction and, in the case of online wagering and betting, was expressly prohibited following amendments to the Interactive Gambling Act in 2024. Are there any specific licensing or operational requirements for operators accepting digital currencies (including cryptocurrencies)? All gambling-related licences issued by a state or territory are subject to strict requirements relating to safe responsible gambling in brisbane gambling and harm minimisation.
With the exception of virtual/simulated racing (which is generally only offered in retail venues including hotels and clubs), this betting is generally offered at racecourses, retail venues, online and by telephone. Casino licences provide that casinos are only permitted to offer casino games and gaming machines to patrons present within the casino. The NICC did, however, impose a fine of AUS $15 million on account of four breaches of regulatory requirements.
These stricter classifications align Australia with other jurisdictions, such as the UK and EU, where similar regulations are being introduced. Each of Australia’s eight states and territories independently regulates gambling, gaming, and betting activities within their jurisdictions. Gambling in Australia, including online wagering, sports betting, and lotteries, is heavily regulated and subject to licensing at both federal and state/territory levels.
This section explains the key laws, who enforces them, and recent updates that affect you as a player. Sumsub helps businesses verify users, prevent fraud, and meet regulatory requirements anywhere in the world, without compromises. As a result, the company has been instructed to revamp its internal systems and enhance player safety measures. The breaches included insufficient training for staff on responsible gambling practices and the unauthorized sending of direct marketing material to a customer who had opted out. Stricter fines have also been issued as a clear warning to gambling operators that failure to comply with responsible gambling regulations will result in significant financial penalties.
Read more about our laws and policies, including recent or proposed changes to liquor and gambling-related legislation. Find out about the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation’s key priorities. You must be over 18 years old and legally permitted to gamble online or otherwise. However, Australian-based online casinos are prohibited from offering services to citizens. Land-based casinos in Queensland operate under regulatory supervision, ensuring player safety and fair play, adhering to established laws and regulations.
However, they must include messages about responsible gambling. Check your state’s rules before playing to understand limits and protections. A 1999 report estimated Australia has one of the highest per capita gambling rates globally, with pokies driving much of the $24 billion annual gambling revenue. Nationwide, pokies are heavily regulated due to their addictive nature. Pokies, or gaming machines, are Australia’s most popular gambling form, with thousands in pubs, clubs, and casinos. This mix of laws means you need to be aware of your state’s rules to gamble legally.
In Australia, gambling compliance requirements vary by state or territory and by the type of gambling service offered. Due to the nature of gambling and its potential risks, it is crucial for operators to comply with regulations designed to protect consumers and promote responsible gambling. Recently, there have been increasing calls for a ban on or stricter restrictions for gambling ads as well as implementing cashless gambling cards with preset limits. More online gambling operators like Gigabet and Titanbet are entering the market, and more people are participating in various forms of online betting, including sports betting, casino games, poker, and more.
In relation to wagering and betting, apart from the NT (where the licences expire in 2035) and WA (where Retail Wagering and betting is operated by the state), the expiry dates of current Retail Wagering Licences are also similarly long-dated and range between 2044 and 2100. Various states (including NSW and Vic) have implemented harm minimisation measures to cap the number of gaming machine permits/licences on issue in certain lower socio-economic areas. The number of gaming machines available in each state and territory is strictly regulated. An application for a Corporate Bookmaker Licence issued in the NT, or an application for an On-course Bookmaker Licence, typically takes between three and six months for approval and can be made at any time.