Online Casinos in Australia
Online betting site aus are a major industry of the Commonwealth of Australia. The Oceania region, which also includes New Zealand, is one of the largest gambling markets in the world.
Australian People
They take pride in their cultural heritage, one of which is the longstanding history of horse racing and various forms of gambling. Not many countries can claim that their biggest holiday revolves around gambling, except for Australians with events like the Melbourne Cup.
How Popular Are Online Casinos in Australia?
According to Australian gambling regulatory authorities, in 2011, four out of every five Australians placed a legal bet at least once. Recent years have shown similar figures. Studies indicate that the Australian gambling industry is worth over twenty billion dollars annually, encompassing all forms of online and land-based gambling, including lotteries.
Is Online Gambling Legal?
Yes, online gambling for Australian customers is legal. Gambling has been a tradition in Australia since the country stabilized. However, it didn't gain significant traction in the Commonwealth until the late 1990s. By the early 2000s, concerns over gambling began to surface, leading to federal government hearings on top online bookmaker gambling.
Within a Year…
... The federal government organized hearings on web gambling, purportedly in response to public concerns about how the industry was impacting citizens.
The wave of opposition to gambling in Australia was short-lived...
The only legislation introduced during this brief period was the 2001 Interactive Gambling Act (IGA). This new law enforced measures similar to what the US government did with the UIGEA. It did not criminalize online gambling for customers; instead, it targeted gambling providers.
Under the IGA, it became a criminal offense for:
“…anyone to provide interactive gambling services to customers present in Australia.”
Providers found in violation of this law could face fines of up to 1.1 million dollars per day of illegal operation.
However,
Similar to how US-oriented providers found workarounds to UIGEA bans to process payments, Australian gambling addicts could also circumvent the IGA.
Specifically, modern supplementary services in online payment processing, such as Neosurf and e-wallets, enable players to transact with their chosen casino operators freely and securely. These activities continue to safeguard players' interests while ensuring optimal operations for Australian online gambling platforms.
Popular Gambling Games
Australians favor casino gambling games, especially pokies. "Pokie" is Aussie slang for slot machines. Australians love slot machines even more than Americans, spending billions of dollars on these games each year.
In fact…
... Betting on pokies represents the largest portion of gambling revenue in the industry overall. Australian casinos typically host a gaming library akin to any Western gaming venue. Common table games include baccarat, craps, and blackjack, along with some popular games of Asian origin. Compared to the US or Europe, games like Sic Bo and Pai Gow are more popular in the Oceania region.
Lotteries are extremely popular nationwide in Australia. The government was one of the first entities to establish a lottery system in the early 1920s. Initially operated by government-run trusts, lotteries later became a major gambling enterprise run by private entities. The two largest nationwide lotteries are Oz Lotto and Powerball.
Keno is a gambling staple in Australia, comparable to the popularity of bingo in the US. This game is ubiquitous, with many keno lounges in Australian cities, independent businesses offering keno games, and several slot machines.
Bingo is a favorite
Federal laws permit both charity bingo and government-operated bingo games and tournaments. These are often held in keno lounges or large bingo halls. You'll frequently find bingo games, both live and electronic, at Australian casinos.
Sports Betting
Betting on sporting events is also noteworthy. Most states have clear regulations making sports betting entirely legal. The focal points for sports betting activities nationwide are likely in the states of Victoria and New South Wales. In these two states alone, there are over 3,000 betting kiosks and shops. It's also rare to find a casino in any Australian state without at least a small sports betting section.
Pari-mutuel betting is a cultural tradition in Australia. Since at least the mid-19th century, wagering on races has been a familiar part of Australian society. A government body, Racing Australia, oversees pari-mutuel betting. You'll find countless race betting establishments nationwide, and each sportsbook also offers some simulcast betting options. Once again, Victoria and New South Wales are at the heart of race betting nationwide.
Poker
This card game is becoming a national pastime for Australians. Australia is home to the Asia-Pacific Poker Tour. Who among poker players doesn't dream of bookmaker free play in the Aussie Millions tournament? Given Australia's generally liberal attitude toward gambling, it's no surprise to see live poker games in neighborhood pubs. Sometimes these are friendly games, but money games are also prevalent.
Are there any notable games in Australia?
Almost all options mentioned are available online. One notable exception unavailable online in Australia is state-operated lotteries. However, if you're a fan of lottery games, there are still online versions of scratch cards and lottery-style games, and of course, these are legal for players in Australia.
Casinos offer
Poker, baccarat, sports betting, horse racing, bingo, keno, and casino games are provided to residents within the Commonwealth borders, and they are entirely legal. Refer to territorial and federal laws or legal authorities regarding the legality of online casinos in Australia if you're concerned about this issue.
