A recent report suggests that Australia’s casino market will grow and expand over the next years.
But why is casino gaming on the rise? How are national gambling laws shaping the market’s growth?
Read on to find out more about casino gaming in Australia.
Gambling laws in Australia
Here is a quick overview of Australia’s gambling laws.
Online laws
Although online casinos are illegal in Australia, some online wagering sites aren’t.
Here are the online services that are currently banned in the country:
- Online slots
- Online casino games (e.g. poker, blackjack and roulette)
- Virtual scratchies
- In-play betting on sporting events
- Betting and lottery services that aren’t licensed in Australia.
However, some online wagering services are allowed. These include some online sportsbooks.
The Australian Government’s website provides a list of legal and licensed online operators. You can find the list here.
Land-based gaming laws
Land-based gaming has been legal in Australia since 1973. However, venues that provide gaming services need to hold a valid gambling license.
It is important to note that each state and territory in Australia is responsible for regulating its land-based gambling scene. In other words, gambling legislation can vary from one state and territory to another.
That being said, the following forms of land-based gaming are authorized throughout the country:
- Wagering
- Lotteries
- Casino gaming and casino machines (e.g. pokies)
Casino table games are only authorized if they are organized by a licensed casino. You will find a list of the most popular licensed gaming venues at the end of this article.
Australia vs. New Zealand’s gambling laws
In New Zealand, online gaming is also illegal, unless the player is taking part in a lottery game. That online lottery game is only legal if it’s organized by a licensed NZ lottery operator.
However, there is a loophole in the legislation. Gaming overseas is allowed. This means that local players can legally play online, as long as the website is based overseas.
BonusFinder New Zealand recommends some offshore providers on its website to help players find a trusted online provider with great welcome offers.
It is important to note that online racing and sports betting are strictly prohibited in New Zealand, even if they’re offered by overseas operators.
The casino scene in Australia
The casino gaming market is growing thanks to the increasing number of players. More and more people are turning to gaming.
A lot of individuals appear to be interested in online gaming. It is seen by many players as a more convenient, accessible and flexible gaming option.
They can play from anywhere they like, whenever they want and, usually, on a wide range of devices. If they don’t enjoy a provider’s games, they can switch to another virtual provider within seconds.
That being said, the Australian government is quite strict about online gaming. Only certain forms of wagering are allowed.
Because of this, land-based gaming remains very popular in the country. They are the only venues where people can play pokies, roulette and other iconic casino games.
Types of games that are particularly popular
Here are the most popular casino games in Australia:
- Slot games, also known as pokies
- Craps
- Roulette
- Baccarat
- Blackjack
- Keno
- Poker
Several articles report that ‘pokies’ are the most popular casino games in Australia. But why is that?
Players in Australia, and across the globe, love how simple and straightforward slots are. You don’t need to learn any complicated rules.
All you need to do is press on a button, or a pull a lever, to spin the reels. The rest is up to luck.
Players also love the wide variety of slot games available on the market. Most of them have fun and entertaining themes like Ancient Egypt, the Wild West, football, or even fishing.
If you have a specific hobby or passion, chances are you can find a slot game based around it.
Land-based gaming venues to visit in Australia
There are some great casinos in Australia for those of you who are interested in land-based gaming. We have compiled a short list of venues for you to visit.
Here are some of the best land-based casino venues in the country:
- Crown Casinos (various locations)
- The Treasury Hotel (Brisbane)
- The Star (Gold Coast)
These venues also have great hotels, pools, restaurants and entertainment.
Final thoughts
This article provided a quick overview of the gambling scene in Australia.
Maybe the online gambling laws will change, and more online games will be allowed in Australia. Only time will tell!
