Best Sites for Online Gambling in Australia

Lotteries, racing, and sports betting are the only types of online gambling that are legalized in Australia. However, the Interactive Gambling Act doesn’t regulate websites with foreign licenses. Aussies can access many of them. We’re here to evaluate several online gambling sites Australia and recommend the best ones. We’ll give you all the details on the online casino industry, so you’ll know how to choose a website and play.

How to Register at Australian Gambling Sites

The registration process on reputable online gambling sites takes a few minutes. Keep in mind that you’ll be asked to verify your identity later on.

These are the steps to create a profile:

• Choose the website that suits you (our reviews can help with that!)
• Click the register/sign up/play now button.
• Fill in the form with all required details. It usually includes your email address, full name, date of birth, telephone number, and billing address.

The system may require you to submit documentation for an identity checkup:

1. Scanned photo ID
2. Bank statement or bill that shows your address

If not, you’ll be required to provide those documents before withdrawing any money.

• Create a unique username and password. You may also need to choose and answer a security question.
• Agree to the terms, and you’ll be ready to start playing.

Overview of the Australian Online Gambling Industry

The AIHW (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare) estimated that Aussies spend around $25 billion on legal types of gambling in a single year. The online gambling industry has been increasingly growing in 2020 and 2021. Australians who gamble online report an increase in the frequency of sports betting and casino playing.

ACMA (Australian Communication and Media Authority) reports that 11% of Aussies participated in an online gambling activity in 2021. That percentage is up from 8% in 2020.

The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 regulates the industry. It was updated in 2019 to introduce a National Self-Exclusion Register. This tool helps players to control sports betting and casino gambling behavior.

Types of Australia Gambling Sites

There are two major types of gambling sites Australia:

• Online casinos
• Sports betting sites

Online sports betting is legal under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. The websites often offer lotteries and horse racing bets, which are also legal.

Safe casino websites, on the other hand, are available with foreign licenses.

Types of Games on Australian Online Gambling Sites

You can play several types of games on the best Australian gambling sites:

• Pokies

Slots, known as pokies in Australia, are very popular in online casinos. They vary in the number of reels and paylines. These games have fun themes and storylines, and their graphics are impressive.

• Blackjack

This card games requires some skill, but is easy to learn and has a low house edge (from 1.5%, depending on the player’s skill level). It’s available in many varieties, including European, Gold Bonus, Double Deck, and Atlantic City Blackjack.

• Poker

Online poker is a game of skill, which requires patience, knowledge, and dedication. In online casinos, you can play Omaha Hi-Lo, Caribbean Stud, and Texas Hold’em Poker.

• Roulette

Roulette is a classic casino game. Online casinos offer it in different versions, including American, French, European, and Roulette Royal.

• Craps

This game requires you to guess the outcome of the roll of a pair of dice.

• Keno

Keno and other lottery-like games are also available in online casinos. Some websites include scratchies in their offer, too.

Top Online Gambling Sites Australia

We tested some of the most popular online casinos that accept Aussies. We ranked the best online gambling sites according to a few criteria:

• Credibility and license
• Security features
• Payment options
• Game selection
• Welcome and loyalty bonuses
• Customer support

These are our recommendations:

Sports Betting on Aussie Online Gambling Sites

The Australian online sports betting industry is consistently growing. Online sports betting and online horse race wagering are legal. Online bookmakers have gained licenses from local authorities at state level. The Australian Communication and Media Authority is responsible for regulating and controlling locally licensed bookies.

The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 prohibits live betting. If you wish to bet in real time, you can do it on Australia online gambling sites with foreign licenses.

These are some of the most popular online sportsbooks with licenses from AU authorities:

• BetFair
• BetEasy
• Bet365
• DraftKings
• Unibet, and more

On these websites, you can bet on a variety of sports. Aussies mostly bet on golf, football, American football, cricket, and rugby. Horse race betting is one of the most popular gambling activities in the country. It’s also available through Aussie bookmakers.

The Legal Aspects of Gambling Sites in Australia

The Australian federal government has delegated the governing of the gambling industry to the states. They all have different laws to regulate land-based casinos. Online casino games, on the other hand, are banned on a federal level. The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 prohibits online poker, slot machines, and all other types of online casino games. In-play betting on live sports events is also prohibited.

Australian states are allowed to issue licenses to online sportsbooks and instant lotteries. If you like placing sports bets online, you should check out the sites that hold licenses from the local authority.

How to Choose from Australian Gambling Sites

If you want to play casino games online, the website you choose makes a big difference. Follow our recommendations and you’ll have a good user experience:

• Check the license

The best online gambling sites Australia hold licenses from foreign gaming authorities:

• Curacao Gaming Control Board
• Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner
• Malta Gaming Authority
• Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission

• Check the transaction security systems

Make sure the website has an SSL certificate. That’s the best way to ensure your payment information will be encrypted and protected. You should also check the banking methods. If you don’t want to directly share bank details, you can go for e-Wallets and prepaid vouchers.

• Check if you can play from mobile

Easy access is the whole point of online gambling. The website you choose should offer a flawless user experience over mobile. Some casinos offer iOS and Android apps, but you can also play through mobile-responsive websites.

• Test the gaming offer

Can you play pokies, poker, blackjack, and all other casino games on the website you choose? Some sites also offer lottery and bingo games, as well as scratchies.

• Search for user feedback

Social proof shows if the online casino has a good reputation among users. Check out independent reviewing sites. Our website also offers independent evaluations based on real user experience.

• Test the support

We recommend choosing websites with an active 24/7 support system. Email and phone communication is an additional benefit. You can test how the support works during the registration process. If the agents respond quickly, you can count on their assistance when a real issue comes up.

Bonus Offers on Aussie Online Gambling Sites

When you use an online casino, you have the right to benefit from its promo offers. These are the types of bonuses you can get:

• Welcome promo

Online casinos welcome new users with a deposit match. Some will add free spins, too. No-deposit bonuses are hard to find, but it’s possible to land such an offer. Keep in mind that the most impressive welcome bonuses usually come with high playthrough requirements.

• Loyalty programs

VIP membership systems grant you points with every bet you place. The more points you accumulate, the higher you move up the VIP system. As your membership progresses, you’ll gain additional benefits (better cashback, VIP support, and more).

Deposits and Withdrawals for Australia Online Gambling

On average, Aussie gambling sites require a deposit of at least $20. Some may require a lower amount ($10 or $15) to activate the welcome bonus. Deposits don’t have an added fee. As for withdrawals, the fee depends on the selected banking method. If you don’t want to pay a fee, we recommend using an e-Wallet for withdrawals.

Before a withdrawal, the casino will verify your identity. For that process, you’ll need to submit a copy of your ID and a recent bank statement (or a utility bill) that shows your address.

These are the usual banking methods you can use:

• Credit and debit cards

Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, and other credit/debit cards are offered as banking methods on all casino sites. Almost all players have a card, so creating an e-Wallet account and loading it with money might not be necessary. When you choose a secure online casino, it’s OK to use cards.

• E-Wallets

They are easy to use, and gamblers prefer them because they don’t share any bank account details. Neteller and Skrill are the most commonly used e-Wallets for gambling.

• Cryptocurrency

An increasing number of Aussie players choose to play with cryptocurrency in online casinos. Luckily, many websites accept a variety of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, and more.

• Prepaid vouchers

PaySafeCard is a great payment method for those who don’t want to share any banking info online. You buy the card and insert its 16-digit code to load your user account. This option is only available for deposits. You’ll have to choose an e-Wallet, card, or bank transfer for a withdrawal.