Features and Popularity of Casinos in Australia

Australia is one of the most gambling corners of our planet. Players run their favorite poker machines in bars and pubs, restaurants, and casino resorts on numerous online sites with local or foreign licenses. But to fully understand the gambling world of the Green Continent, users should immerse themselves in the study of legislative norms and standards. Based on the experience of our experts in the all-consuming iGaming industry, we have created a guide with laws and requirements for gambling establishments in our country.

Casinos Across the States

Our experts conducted an in-depth investigation of the gambling industry in Australia and found 10+ land-based casinos. Learn about them in each state separately:

• New South Wales
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Northern Territory
• Australian Capital Territory
• Tasmania
• Victoria
• Western Australia

Casino Requirements

Australian gambling is regulated by strict rules and requirements that significantly complicate the operation of gaming platforms. Operators must register in one of the states or territories to provide gambling services in any region of the country. The owners of an establishment must obtain a license and permission from the regulators to conduct online entertainment or games in a physical casino.

The complexity of managing the gambling industry is that, with the main Interactive Gambling Act of 2001 (IGA), each state has the right to issue its license, which we will tell you about later. Even if the license belongs to a foreign operator, the company must hire a local manager from Australia to support relations with our country’s controlling authorities and conclude the contract.

The conditions for a bank account on online gambling sites are also complicated. Owners of game portals must have an account in an Australian bank where players’ deposits are credited. Licensed operators pay out winnings exclusively through payment systems specified by law.

The requirements include the authorized capital of the operator, which varies depending on the type of gambling services implemented. Moreover, the operator must declare all income monthly and provide a report on tax collections to the local regulator. It is also necessary to support the local norms of the sites or land-based casinos, consider the principles of responsible play, don’t let underage players play pokies, and do not advertise your services.

The Growth of the Online Gambling Industry

Our project experts conducted an independent analysis of online gambling in Australia, touching on the land-based casinos segment. If, from 2020 to 2022, there was a stable growth of about 8%, with the regular entry of new operators into the gaming market during the COVID-19 pandemic, we observed a significant decrease in the industry’s popularity.

Various types of lockdowns and the closing of Australia’s borders have negatively impacted the gambling segment. Faced with the crisis, many operators were forced to close their businesses, and the restrictions reduced the annual turnover of funds. These factors led to a 4.1% annual drop in the gambling industry’s growth, which amounted to 5.5 billion dollars from 2023 to 2024.

However, the lifting of restrictions and the solution to the Coronavirus problem positively affected the industry as a whole. Experts note that in 2024, a surge in the activity of excited connoisseurs is expected. This will lead to an increase in the popularity of casino games by 4.1% over the next five years.

Gambling Problems

Based on the research of the Australian Institute of Health Care, experts note that the main problem of gambling in the Green Continent is the development of gambling addiction. Our country is the leader in participation in games for money among the adult population, who make bets on sports events, poker slots, roulette games, blackjack, baccarat, and lotteries.

Most players have problems with gambling addiction. According to our analysis, more than 46% of our country’s residents are at risk due to frequent real money gambling. We are talking about players between the ages of 18 and 34. Also, more than 83% of users who visit gambling platforms weekly or more often risk joining the ranks of gambling addicts.

State Regulators of Casino Games

Analysis of the gaming industry indicates that there is no single body for gambling management in the region. According to the laws of Australia, each region has the right to regulate online entertainment and games for money in land-based casinos, having fulfilled the following requirements:

• Obtain a license from a local commission or other regulator
• Observe control over gambling and pay taxes
• Take into account the norms of a separate state or territory
• Notify players about the dangers of gambling
• They will provide tools for responsible play and links to specialized establishments to help gambling addicts

The main regulators of casino games in different regions are:

• Australian Capital Territory Gambling and Racing Commission
• New South Wales Liquor and Gambling Authority
• Horse racing commission of the Northern Territory
• South Australian Consumer and Business Service
• Liquor and Gambling Regulation Commission of Tasmania
• Gambling and Casino Commission of Victoria
• Department of Racing, Gambling and Spirits of Western Australia

Requirements for a Gambling Operator in Australia

The license for the provision of gambling services is issued by the above-mentioned local regulators and commissions. Operators are prohibited from advertising their activities or accepting cryptocurrency payments for the game. They are recommended to comply with federal, state, and territorial laws (labor laws, data protection, etc.), as well as adhere to the following requirements:

• Monitors money laundering and suspicious payment transactions, responding to requests in the form of payslips and bank statements and complying with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) laws
• Operators must provide information about the risks of games for money and methods of maintaining control
• Guarantee support for problem users by offering links to organizations, hotlines and consultations
• Use the software of reliable providers with a certified RNG and a license from authoritative jurisdictions
• Independent testing of equipment and software is regularly carried out to verify the integrity and safety of games

Licensed Gambling Activity

Holders of official licenses of local jurisdictions organize safe entertainment for money, including the following types of games in Australia:

• Board games and pokies
• Lotteries and scratch cards
• Keno and Sic Bo
• Online pokies with progressive jackpot
• Betting on sports and totalizators

We remind you that the rules for obtaining permit documentation vary from state to state. This information should be clarified in the region where you plan to start your business.