The Australian craze for sports is well-known. Residents not only watch sports events but also wager real money on them.
Here are some facts and figures that speak volumes about the Australian love for sports wagering:
- According to an estimate of 2015, over half a million adults in Australia wagered on sports regularly.
- Most Australian sports bettors are men (88%) in the age group of 18 – 49 (75%), mostly holding full-time jobs (70%).
- Sports bettors spend half of their gambling bankrolls on sports betting and the remaining on other gambling activities.
- According to government surveys, Australians bet as much as AU$200 billion on sports in 2016 – 17.
- Aussies spend around $220 per person on sports betting per year.
Wagering on sports events, therefore, is common in Australia. However, is it legal to wager on sports events in Australia? What are Australia’s sports betting laws? Find out what our experts say about sports betting legalization in Australia.
Sports Betting Laws in Australia – An Overview
The major gambling law in Australia is the Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) of 2001.
According to this law, offering and advertising real money online casinos and services like casino games and poker games to Australian players is illegal. It applies to all domestic and international online gambling businesses.
Interestingly, the IGA targets only operators of online gambling businesses, not individual Australian players. Residents of Australia won’t get into trouble with the law for signing up at online gambling services registered and licensed in offshore jurisdictions.
The IGA doesn’t prohibit all forms of online gambling. Online sportsbooks licensed in Australia are legal. However, only sports bets placed before the sports event begins are legal. In-play betting also referred to live betting is illegal in Australia.
Australia is home to several state-licensed online and land-based sportsbooks. Regional licensing laws vary from one state to the other. But two laws are common to all territories. First, residents must be at least 18 to bet on sports; and second, they must provide copies of their identification documents to the sportsbook.
How Australia Regulates Its Sports Betting Industry
Australia regulates its sports betting industry on two levels—federal and regional:
- Federal Sports Betting Laws: The federal government reserves the constitutional right to enact laws related to broader issues like telecommunications, consumer rights, financial transactions, and trade. It uses its powers to control several aspects related to gambling, including prevention of terrorism funding, consumer protection, money laundering, and online gambling.
- Regional or Territorial Sports Betting Laws: Australia’s eight territories can enact gambling laws of their own. Let us have a look at the sports betting laws in each Australian territory.
Victoria
The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) licenses and regulates sports betting activities in hotels and clubs. Gambling businesses have to obtain the VCGLR license to operate in Victoria.
The Ministry for Racing and the Ministry for Gaming and Liquor Regulation are responsible for developing and implementing sports betting policies and amending existing laws whenever required.
New South Wales (NSW)
Liquor & Gaming NSW advises the territorial government on matters related to sports betting laws, wagering policies, and responsible gambling. This regulatory body supervises the sports betting industry to ensure integrity and responsible practices.
TAB Limited, along with bookies licensed in NSW, offers sports and racing services in NSW. This company is NSW’s exclusive provider of off-track retail betting services.
Companies and individuals who want to accept sports bets through the Internet or phone must first obtain a license from the Liquor & Gaming NSW.
Queensland
The Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) regulates sports betting activities in Queensland. Only corporations are eligible to apply for licenses to conduct sports and horse betting in Queensland.
Currently, UBET QLD Limited holds the exclusive license to offers sports and race betting services in Queensland. Race clubs can apply for on-track wagering licenses.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
The ACT Gambling and Racing Commission is the regulatory body that supervises sports betting activities in this territory.
South Australia (SA)
South Australia permits wagers only on sports events that have received the approval of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner. Only companies licensed to operate in SA can accept bets on approved sports events.
The Liquor and Gambling Commissioner also approves rules governing the operations of racing clubs, licensed SA bookies, and the TAB.
Tasmania
The Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission, an independent gambling authority, licenses operators of sports betting services and ensures that they comply with the laws.
Western Australia (WA)
The WA Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Department regulates racing industries, casinos, and community gaming in the territory by providing a tough licensing system and conducting inspections and audits.
Northern Territory (NT)
The NTRC monitors all gambling-related activities in the Northern Territory, including betting, licensing, and compliance. The territory also has codes of practice that minimize gambling-related harm.
Types of Sports Betting Licenses
Amendments made to the IGA in 2019 state that only domestic sportsbooks are legal in Australia.
Operators of sports betting services can apply for different types of gambling licenses, as follows:
- Operator license to offer fixed odds betting and tote betting
- Bookmaker license to accept wagers on horse racing and sports events
A gambling company has to obtain a bookmaker license to offer racing and sports betting services in Australia. An operator license, on the other hand, enables businesses to offer sports betting services at retail outlets, racecourses, apps, websites, and telephone.
Many operators apply for licenses in the Northern Territory (NT) because of its favourite licensing laws. Major sports betting corporations are based in the NT, and they offer online and telephonic betting services on racing and sports events.
Offshore Online Sportsbooks – Are They Legal in Australia?
Offshore online sportsbooks are not legal in Australia.
According to amendments made to the IGA in 2018, offshore online sportsbooks can accept bets from Australian residents only if they have received a license from an Australian authority.
The amendments give the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) the power to impose hefty fines on operators and individuals who violate the laws. Australia has cracked down on several offshore sportsbooks and forced them to exit the Australian sports betting market.
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Australia’s Favourite Sports
Despite its sparse population, Australia wagers more on sports events than any other country in the world. Australians love all types of sports, and licensed Aussie bookmakers receive bets on regional, national, and international sporting events.
The following is a list of Australia’s favourite sports:
- National Rugby League (NRL)
- NFL & AFL
- Australian Rules Football
- Cricket
- Tennis
Final Words
Wagering on sports events in Australia is a legal but heavily restricted activity. Only licensed domestic operators of sports betting services can operate in the country.
Moreover, Australia continues to strengthen its laws to protect its industry and prevent offshore online sportsbooks from stealing a share of the market. Although Australians cannot access in-play betting services, which are illegal in the country, they can enjoy the benefits of a licensed and well-regulated sports betting industry.
AuthorSharon Kingsby
Sharon lives and breathes online casinos. She answers all your how, why, where questions to make your online gambling journey fun and successful. read more about the author
