Gambling Laws and Regulations Report 2026 Australia

Addisons has a gambling team that advises businesses on all aspects of gaming and gambling law and regulation. Senet extends its expertise to local lawyers and service providers without specific gambling law experience, as well as international lawyers and attorneys seeking guidance on Australian gambling law and regulation matters. This includes insights into developments such as the Point of Consumption Tax and the National Consumer Protection Framework. Senet keeps clients informed about changes in existing regulations or the introduction of new ones. Senet advises on competition and antitrust laws, particularly in relation to new product offerings, advertising campaigns and marketing policies.
There have been numerous requests by regulators requiring wagering operators to provide evidence of their compliance with the various measures. Subsequently, the NICC imposed a pecuniary penalty of AUD15 million against The Star and confirmed that the casino licence would remain suspended. Further, it was reported that, in August 2025, AUSTRAC amended the statement of claim to remove various claims made against Entain, which had alleged that it had failed to comply with obligations applicable to a remittance provider. It has been reported that AUSTRAC and Entain are conducting mediation to resolve the matter. Developments in the foregoing enforcement actions are anticipated in the coming months. AUSTRAC alleges serious and systemic non-compliance by Mounties with the AML/CTF Laws.
At federal level, the Australian Communications and Media Authority, or ACMA, plays a major role in online gambling enforcement. The law targets the supply of these services rather than the private conduct of individual Australian gamblers. Staying informed about licensing, compliance, and emerging trends ensures a safer and more rewarding gaming experience. This ensures that even small bets at $1 casino Australia platforms are safe and legally protected.
The Interactive Gambling Act contains restrictions that apply to Retail Wagering Licensees, Corporate Bookmakers and On-course Bookmakers in relation to live (or ‘in the run’) betting on sport. Failure to comply with the AML/CTF Act, including by not maintaining a compliant AML/CTF Program, and not filing TTRs and/or SMRs (or filing them late), can result in large civil penalties and possible criminal exposure. Separately, the CCA imposes penalties for, amongst other things, misleading and deceptive conduct (including through advertising). The federal government has enacted ‘rules’ that restrict gambling advertising and odds promotion during broadcasts of live sport, with one key objective being to limit its exposure to children. The Vic licence includes not only wagering and betting but also the right to conduct a betting exchange. Gaming machine and other equipment manufacturers, software developers and technical services suppliers selling products and/or services used for gambling-related activities typically have perpetual licences, which are often administrative in nature and remain on issue, subject to the payment of periodic fees. 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.
The Office of the Independent Monitor and the Western Australian gaming regulator, the Gaming and Wagering Commission (GWA), conducted a final assessment of Crown Perth’s implementation of its remediation plan. In these hearings, the court heard, among other matters, arguments by the parties in relation to the AUD400 million penalty being sought by AUSTRAC. The NZ Parliamentary Governance and Administration Committee (the "Select Committee") conducted a public consultation on the NZ Online Casino Bill and presented its report to the NZ Parliament on 4 December 2025. In the first quarter of 2025, it conducted consultation on the implementation of facial recognition technology.
In NSW, for example, a one-off payment of AUD256 million was paid in 1995 for a 12-year exclusivity period for a casino licence, and a further AUD100 million was paid in 2007 for a 12-year extension of the exclusivity period. The licence application fee for land-based licences depends on the state or territory, and on the gambling activity to which the application relates. The period that will elapse before the application for an online casino with pay id sports bookmaker licence in the Northern Territory is granted is usually nine months (but may be shorter or longer). The timescale for a land-based licence application varies between states and territories, and also depends on the type of licence for which the application is being made. The disclosure thresholds for shareholders differ between states and territories (and the types of gambling licence); generally, the applicable percentage is 10%, but in certain cases it may be 5% or lower. Furthermore, the business plan, financial documents and forecasts, and technical documentation in the Northern Territory, and the contribution the gambling business will make to the state or territory will all be assessed in respect of any gambling licence (whether land-based or online). The basic documentation requirements when applying for either a land-based gambling licence or an online gambling licence are similar.
The principal focus of AUSTRAC in the gambling sector in 2025 has been to review compliance with the AML/CTF Laws by gambling venues (namely pubs and clubs) in Australia. AUSTRAC’s review of online wagering operators and their compliance with the AML/CTF Laws that commenced in 2022 is ongoing. Addisons delivers commercially sound legal solutions of the highest standard, which help drive the business success of Australian and international clients. This includes advice on business strategies for international gambling projects, both inbound into Australia and outbound to international markets. This book has been carefully reviewed, edited and audited by Oliver Chang, a member of ICLG in-house editorial team to ensure relevance and house style. The firm also assists in matters related to responsible gambling, social gaming products, virtual currencies and advertising compliance.
The roadmap highlighted the importance of a consumer-centric, seamless sign-up process to ensure wider adoption and noted the need for further assessment of the financial, employment and social impacts on the industry. These audits are typically detailed and resource-intensive, requiring operators to provide extensive records and substantiate their tax calculations. Year on year, these figures are generally consistent and represent the ACMA’s continued effort to prioritise the disruption of illegal offshore wagering services from targeting Australian customers through their blocking powers. It was recently reported that since July 2024, the ACMA has investigated 1,377 enquiries and complaints, made 135 breach findings and referred 256 websites to internet service providers for blocking.
The country and its people are known for their love of horse betting and electronic gaming machines, especially pokies. Even with the restrictive jurisdictions, Australia is still one of the go-to gambling destinations. The state government is the brick-and-mortar regulator, while the federal government is the interactive gaming regulator. The writer’s views do not reflect the opinions of the firm or any individual attorney. Using this article or any links doesn’t create an attorney-client relationship. State and territory regulators oversee land-based gambling and licensed wagering activity within their jurisdictions. ACMA enforces key federal rules for online gambling, including action against illegal offshore gambling websites.