Are Online Pokies Legal in Australia? The Interactive Gambling Act Explained
No, real-money online pokies may not lawfully be offered to people in Australia. Under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (Cth), online casino-style games including pokies are prohibited interactive gambling services, and that applies to offshore providers as well as local ones. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) can have illegal offshore sites blocked, and customers who lose money to those sites have little recourse. This article is general information and is not legal advice.
What does the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 prohibit?
The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 prohibits providing certain gambling services online or by phone to customers in Australia, and online casino-style games are among them. NSW government guidance states plainly that a site offering online casino games or real-money pokies is an illegal service in Australia. It lists online casino-style games such as roulette, blackjack and baccarat, online pokies and slot machines, and live in-play sports betting.
| Attribute | Position | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Governing law | Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (Cth) | Federal Register of Legislation |
| Online pokies and casino games for real money | Prohibited when offered to people in Australia | Department of Infrastructure |
| Who the Act targets | Providers, including offshore providers | Department of Infrastructure |
| Provider offence, section 15(1) | 5,000 penalty units | The Act |
| Provider civil penalty, section 15(2A) | 7,500 penalty units | The Act |
| Illegal gambling and affiliate websites blocked | 1,822 websites from November 2019 to 24 September 2026 | ACMA |
| Pokies at pubs, clubs and land-based casinos | Regulated by states and territories; venue services are excluded from the online prohibition | The Act, sections 5 and 8B |
Which online gambling is legal in Australia?
Online sports and race betting and lotteries can be offered legally, and only through operators licensed in Australia. NSW guidance says to confirm that a service appears on the register of licensed providers, and ACMA provides a check for licensed operators. In-play betting placed online on a live sporting event is on the prohibited list. A licensed Australian operator can't offer online pokies either.
Does the Interactive Gambling Act apply to offshore casinos?
Yes, the Interactive Gambling Act applies to offshore casinos that offer prohibited services to people in Australia. Being licensed in another country doesn't make an online casino legal to offer here. NSW guidance adds that many sites look Australian but are run from overseas. A foreign licence, an Australian-looking web address or a page in Australian English tells you nothing about whether a service is allowed.
Is it illegal for me to play online pokies in Australia?
The Act's offences are aimed at providers: the Department of Infrastructure describes it as targeting the providers of interactive gambling, not their potential or actual customers. The offence and civil penalty provisions we reviewed in section 15 are directed at the person who provides the service. We are not saying a player can never face any legal consequence, and that description doesn't make these services safe or legal to use in any wider sense. If you need advice on your own circumstances, talk to a lawyer.
What happens if an offshore casino doesn't pay me?
If an offshore casino doesn't pay you, you are likely to have little or no practical recourse. ACMA warns that Australians who use illegal gambling services are not protected by Australian laws, so those laws can't help if something goes wrong, such as a provider withholding winnings. ACMA also says that even a service that looks legitimate is unlikely to have important customer protections, and that users risk losing their money. NSW guidance lists sites closing with funds lost and unauthorised withdrawals from bank accounts among the risks.
National protections available with licensed wagering don't reach these sites. BetStop, the national self-exclusion register, doesn't cover online services that are not licensed.
How does ACMA block illegal gambling websites?
ACMA asks internet service providers to block access to websites it has found to be offering illegal gambling or promoting it. Its September 2026 update reports 1,822 illegal gambling and affiliate websites blocked since its first request in November 2019. Blocking is one tool alongside formal warnings, infringement notices and court action. A blocked page tells you the regulator has acted against that site.
Can websites advertise online casinos to Australians?
Publishing an advertisement for a prohibited interactive gambling service in Australia is itself restricted under section 61EA of the Act, with offences and civil penalties attached. ACMA has formally warned promoters, and has said that people who facilitate access to illegal services, such as by giving hyperlinks, can incur greater penalties. In July 2026, the Federal Court set $24.24 million in penalties against providers and promoters of prohibited online poker services.
A casino appearing on a website, including this one, is not evidence that it may lawfully be offered to you, and it is not a recommendation to use it. Read how listings work on our methodology page.
Are Australia's online gambling laws changing?
Yes, Parliament passed the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026 on 19 August 2026, and the Department of Infrastructure says the reforms begin from 1 January 2027. Measures announced include stronger enforcement against illegal gambling services and more scope for ACMA website blocking, and the bill provides for banks and payment systems to block transfers to illegal gambling operators. Check the Department's page for the current position once the changes take effect.
What should I do if I'm using an offshore gambling site?
If you are using an offshore gambling site, stop depositing, and get support if stopping is difficult. Don't try to win back what you have lost. Gambling Help Online is free and confidential on 1800 858 858, and our guide to setting limits and getting help covers the next steps.
Written by the Australian Online Pokies Hub Editorial Team.