Australia’s stance concerning gambling is fairly liberal in nature. Gambling is regulated on two levels in Australia. You’ve got the Commonwealth, which provides directives and laws on a national level, and then you’ve got legislation by the individual states and territories.
The majority of day-to-day gambling regulation takes place on the regional level through various state-run gaming agencies. This being the case, the types of gambling opportunities available throughout the area vary depending on what the individual state or territory you are in has elected to approve in their oversight of the industry within their jurisdiction.
The Commonwealth does have an active role in gambling regulation in Australia and is responsible for passing legislation, regulating gambling entertainment, and handling amendments to existing legislation. National taxation would be an example of one element that is regulated through the Commonwealth, though individual regions are not prohibited from enacting their own taxation requirements.
For instance, South Australia enacted a 15% consumption tax on all betting transactions in mid-2017; other States and Territories are following just behind South Australia in writing new taxation requirements. The Australian Commonwealth feels that the individual states and territories should bear the majority of the burden of regulation, licensing, and monitoring of the industry. The Commonwealth is more involved in the online gambling platform via the Interactive Gaming Act and the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill of 2016.
Licensing requirements and fees approved venues, and most directives regarding gambling are up to the discretion of each state, territory or region as is defined by their jurisdictional boundaries, including taxation. This ensures that the approved gambling initiatives are a reflection of those residents who would be most impacted by such decisions.
Each territory sets up its own regulatory bodies via specific gaming commissions, agencies or committees. They have free reign to regulate as they see fit as long as they do not contradict any national gambling laws in Australia. This is seldom an issue since the national regulatory structure is designed not to interfere with regional legislation.
Following are the various state and territory gaming authorities as well as a listing of the relevant gambling legislation that applies to each. Once you have a better understanding of the laws for your region, you can check out our list of legal Australian online gambling sites where we review the 5 most reputable sites.
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory is regulated through the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission
- Betting Act of 1964 (ACTTAB Limited)
- Lotteries Act 1964
- Pool Betting Act 1964
- Interactive Gambling Act 1998
- Racing Act 1999
- Race and Sports Bookmaking Act 2001
- Gaming Machine Act of 2004
- Casino Control Act of 2006
New South Wales
Regulated through the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing http://www.olgr.nsw.gov.au/olgr_default.asp
- Lotteries and Art Unions Act 1901
- Charitable Fundraising Act 1991
- Casino Control act 1992
- Public Lotteries Act 1996
- Gambling Act 1998 (Two-Up)
- Racing Administration Act 1998
- Unlawful Gambling Act 1998
- Betting Tax Act 2001
- Gaming Machines Act 2001
- Gaming Machines Tax Act 2001
- Gaming and Liquor Administration Act 2007
- Liquor Act 2007
Northern Territory
Regulated through the Licensing Commission https://nt.gov.au/
- Northern Territory Licensing Commission Act 2001
- Racing and Betting Act 2004
- Soccer Football Pools Act 2004
- Unlawful Betting Act 2004
- Gaming Control Act 2005
- Gaming Machine Act 2005
Queensland
Regulated through the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation http://www.olgr.qld.gov.au/
- Casino Control Act 1982
- Jupiter’s Casino Agreement Act 1983
- Breakwater Island Casino Agreement Act 1984
- Gaming Machine Act 1991
- Brisbane Casino Agreement Act 1992
- Cairns Casino Agreement Act 1993
- Keno Act 1996
- Lotteries Act 1997
- Wagering Act 1998
- Charitable and Non-Profit Gaming Act 1999
South Australia
Regulated through the Independent Gambling Authority http://www.iga.sa.gov.au/
- Lottery and Gaming Act 1936
- State Lotteries Act 1966
- Gaming Machines Act 1992
- Casino Act 1997
- Authorised Betting Operations Act 2000
Tasmania
Regulated through the Tasmanian Gaming Commission http://www.treasury.tas.gov.au/domino/dtf/dtf.nsf/v-liq-and-gaming/home
- Gaming Control Act 1993
- TT-Line Gaming Act 1993
Victoria
Regulated through Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation http://www.vcglr.vic.gov.au/
- Casino Control Act / Casino Management Agreement Act 1993
- Gambling Regulation Act 2003
Western Australia
Regulated through the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor http://www.rgl.wa.gov.au/
- Betting Control Act 1954
- Bookmakers Betting Levy Act 1954
- Racing Restrictions Act 2003
- Racing Bets Levy Act 2009