It is no secret that Australians love gambling. As one of the nation’s favourite pastimes, many enjoy spending their free time playing a variety of different games of chance and skill. However, the country has stringent laws and regulations put in place, given the inherent risks that come with gambling, in an attempt to curb the adverse effects it can have on the players.
While local laws and regulations vary from territory to territory, the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) is the primary federal act that companies have to work around to provide gambling services.
About the Laws
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) enacted the IGA in 2001 as online gambling was beginning to take off. In essence, the IGA is a federal act that makes it illegal for an Australian-based operator to promote and provide gambling services to people in Australia. This includes both Australian citizens and visitors to the country, who are often surprised to find that the apps and sites they previously visited to play slots might suddenly be blocked once in the country.
With a lack of local online sites, many foreign operators have come in to take their place, allowing players in Australia to enjoy one of their favourite pastimes, as the law only prevents operators and not players from making use of online gambling services.
However, it is noted that those within the Northern Territory may still apply for a licence for internet gaming and then offer their platform to those outside of Australia under specific circumstances. Nowadays, there is a growing number of Australian casino sites that allow those in Australia to play if they want an online casino experience.
Here are just a few of the Australian casino sites players can find online:
- Casinonic
- Joe Fortune
- Heaps O’ Wins
- Ignition
How Providers Adapted Games and Operations to Comply
As these sites are having to compete in the global market, many have to stand out. Compared to other online casinos, players often find many of the ones offered by Australians tend to have better and bigger benefits and a wide assortment of games that include but aren’t limited to blackjack, poker, baccarat, and a host of different types of slots.
As these sites continue to grow in popularity, operators should be ever aware of who their regulators are. Here is a quick key to show which territory has to answer to which regulator.
| Territory | Regulator |
| Australian Capital Territory | The Gambling and Racing Commission – Licensing, compliance, education |
| New South Wales | Liquor and Gaming New South Wales – Licensing, complianceIndependent Liquor and Gaming Authority – Regulation |
| Northern Territory | Northern Territory Racing Commission – Compliance, Licensing |
| Queensland | Queensland Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation – Licensing, complianceOffice of Regulatory Policy – Regulation |
| South Australia | Consumer and Business Services – Policy, licensing, compliance |
| Tasmania | Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission – Licensing, compliance |
| Victoria | Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission – Licensing, compliance |
| Western Australia | Western Australian Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor – Policy, licensing, compliance |
Conclusion
The IGA 2001 has shaped the way players in Australia and Australian operators have to approach their business and games, creating a disconnect between the two as players have to seek foreign operators, and local operators have to seek a foreign market.
While many of these operators have found long-term success, they are individually few and far between and often struggle to get off their feet. The slot industry in Australia has continued to boom thanks to the presence of foreign companies, but the local online industry has to take twice as many strides to enjoy that same success.
