Best Online Casinos Australia

Is It Legal To Gamble In Australia

Gambling policies in the land Down Under fall upon the responsibility of each State rather than the Commonwealth. This means that the state governments have their own rules and regulations around Australia online casinos and gambling activities.

Australians have always loved to gamble, and since its inception as the Commonwealth of Australia back in 1901, the government has permitted almost all types of gambling, with the landscape evolving significantly over the past century.

Just take a look at a brief history of gambling Down Under:

1901 – 1919 – British influence brought card games and horse racing to the country, while European and Asian influences affected the evolution of games.

The 1920s – the first lottery was introduced with the government hoping to make revenue off it.

The 1930s – 1960s – underground sports betting grew in popularity.

The 1970s – pokie machines gained favour and sports betting became legal.

Today, the main law that regulates gambling operations in the country is called the Interactive Gambling Act, which was passed in 2001. The law forbids operators from providing web-based, real-money gambling to Aussie residents. It’s also illegal for Australia online casinos to advertise real-money gaming to locals.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. Accessing and using gaming services is not entirely illegal. Australian players are welcome to play at online casinos based both inside and outside of the country.

Mostly, the Interactive Gambling Act was brought about to protect residents from the adverse effects of web-based gambling, but nothing in the bill states that it’s illegal to access or use services provided by Australia online casinos and those offshore.

The only big setback, really, is that operators that are available to Australians are not regulated on the territory of the country, meaning that players don’t have access to recourse should they encounter any issues.

What Licenses do Australia casinos have

So, not all types of online gambling are proclaimed illegal, and the restrictions set out in the Interactive Gambling Act mostly relate to operators that maintain websites rather than the players using them.

The regulation of online casinos in Australia operations is executed at two levels. Firstly, the central government passes and amends relevant gambling legislation. Secondly, there are the state and territory authorities, along with a handful of regional territories, including: Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor – Western Australia, the Licensing Commission – Northern Territory, the Tasmanian Gaming Commission – Tasmania and the Independent Gambling Authority – South Australia.

Aside from these regulatory authorities, Aussie players can spend their dollars at offshore casinos that hold prominent licenses from regulatory authorities such as the UK Gambling Commission and Malta Gaming Authority.

Never play at an unregulated online casino. All the sites that we review and recommend are licensed, regulated and regularly audited by third parties for provably fair gaming and random outcomes, giving everyone a fair whack at a win.

Are the best online casinos Australia safe

Prior to 2017, the Australian online gambling landscape was complex. There were plenty of operators providing services. But the laws have changed. As a result, Australian players are more vulnerable to rogue operators.

Sadly, many underhanded operators have surfaced, exploiting unknowing players. Now more than ever, it’s important to be careful about where you play, which is why we’d never recommend unreliable operators. Our goal is to provide you with the best Australia online casinos that are trustworthy, secure and safe.

All the sites that we recommend use the latest SSL encryption technology and firewall software to keep your money and your personal information safe. Both the sites and the software developers are regularly audited for secure and fair play, too, and the best online casinos Australia only accept reputable and tested online casino payment methods.

Which are the Types of the best online casinos in Australia

Before we really get into it, let’s discuss the three main types of online casinos available to Australian players.

Instant Play Casinos

Instant play casinos don’t require you to download any software to get started. All you need to do is head to the casino’s web page in your computer or mobile device’s browser, sign up and start playing. Many of the games are even available to play for free, giving you the opportunity to check them out before you commit cash.

Download-Based Casinos

These sites require you to download the casino software to your computer or mobile device before you can place real money wagers. With this option, you don’t need to reload every time you want to play a different game. Download casinos also tend to have a larger suite of games compared to Instant Play sites, but it differs depending on the operator.

Mobile Casinos

Australians love to gamble on Android and iOS-powered devices. The top Australia online casinos offer mobile platforms where you can play your favourite pokies, dice, card and Live Casino games anywhere, provided you have an internet connection.

This makes gambling super-convenient, and there’s the chance to grab exclusive mobile and regular casino bonuses, earn loyalty points and enjoy an optimised playing experience, with many games now designed exclusively for mobile play.

Which are the Payment Methods at online casinos in Australia

Casino payment methods used by Aussie players are easy enough to manage. The best options are those the Government acknowledges as legitimate for gambling activities.

Not all casino sites accept Australian dollars, which means you may need to account for currency conversion fees, and each payment method comes with its own fees and processing times, which are worth checking out before committing to one method.

That said, here’s a breakdown of the most online casino payment methods for Australians.

Deposits At Australian Online Casinos

The good news is that just about all types of deposits at online casinos are instant. The most popular ways to fund accounts at offshore and Australia online casinos include: Skrill, Neteller, Visa, MasterCard and Google Pay.

To make a deposit at your online casino of choice, you’ll need to sign up and head to the site’s cashier. From there, you can choose your payment method and deposit amount and complete the step-by-step instructions.

It’s worth noting that the minimum deposit amount differs from one operator to another, and it can be different for bonuses, too.

Withdrawing Your Winnings

There are just as many withdrawal options as there are for deposits for Aussie players. Credit and debit cards, bank transfers and e-wallets can all be used to get your hands on your winnings, using a similar process to that for making deposits.

Before you even register a casino account, make sure your preferred payment method is available for withdrawals. You’ll also need to check out the casino’s minimum and maximum withdrawal limits as well as the processing times for different payment options.

What’s more, most offshore and Australia online casinos will ask you to verify your account before your first withdrawal. The KYC process can take around 72 hours, so it’s often best to provide copies of the required documents when you sign up.

That said, the most popular withdrawal options for Aussies include ClickandBuy, Poli, Skrill and Neteller.

Can I gamble responsibly at casinos in Australia

Both offshore and Australia online casinos are compelled to take steps designed to protect players, such as checks to ensure you are of a legal gambling age. The legal gambling age for online Australian players is between 18 and 21, depending on the state you live in.

Casinos are also morally obliged to keep an eye on your account and identify any patterns you exhibit that may be signs of problem gambling. These sites offer a range of tools, too, to help you keep your habits in check, such as Reality check, Cool off period, Deposit limits, Time limits and Self-exclusion.

Are there any mobile casinos Australia I can play at

Of course there are, as mobile gaming has become dominant recently. Every casino will have a mobile version or a dedicated app for iOS and Android, with all desktop features available on your phone. Moreover, our ratings also take into consideration how functional mobile casinos Australia are, so you will not miss anything when you play on the go.

How to pick the best online casinos Australia

We’ve prepared a rating of Australia online casinos just for you. These are the most reliable, proven establishments that take mere minutes to register at and get started. Most sites offer generous welcome bonuses and a loyalty programme for regular players, giving you more ways to win with regular offers like cashback, reload bonuses and bundles of free spins for your favourite pokies.

If you’re ready to delve into the exciting world of online gambling from home Down Under, now’s the time! Pick a casino, register and try your luck. You never know, you might be this year’s biggest Aussie winner.