Interactive Gambling Act

The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) is Australia’s primary legislation that regulates all online gambling activities in Australia. 

The law was introduced to protect Australians from the potential harms of online gambling and to prevent AU-based companies from offering certain gambling services to residents. 

While the IGA does not criminalise individual players for participating in online gambling, it places strict regulations on the operators offering these services.

Key Takeaways:

  • The IGA prohibits Australian-based operators from offering certain gambling services (such as online casinos and poker) to Australian residents.
  • It targets the advertising and promotion of prohibited gambling services.
  • The law aims to reduce the harm caused by online gambling but does not penalise Australians for playing at offshore online casinos.

2017 Amendments

The 2017 reforms to the IGA were huge, closing several loopholes that previously allowed offshore sites to offer prohibited services to Australians. These changes were largely focused on strengthening the law’s enforcement mechanisms and extending its coverage. 

Key Takeaways:

  • The law prohibited Australian-based sites from offering live betting services (in-play betting).
  • Introduction of measures that require offshore gambling operators to obtain a license to provide services to Australians legally.
  • Increased penalties for operators found in violation of the law.

These changes forced many offshore sites to leave the Australian market, creating a more regulated environment for Australian players.

2019 Amendments

In 2019, the government introduced further updates to improve the IGA’s effectiveness in protecting consumers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The government established the National Self-Exclusion Register, which allows players to exclude themselves from all licensed online gambling services.
  • The introduction of new consumer protection measures, such as better transparency on terms and conditions and restrictions on gambling credit.

The 2019 amendments reinforced the focus on consumer protection, making it easier for Australians to manage their gambling activities and access help when needed.

The BetStop Program (2022)

In 2022, the Australian government rolled out BetStop, the national self-exclusion program mandated by the 2019 amendments. 

BetStop allows users to voluntarily exclude themselves from all licensed Australian online betting platforms for a period ranging from 3 months to permanent (similar to Gamstop for UK players). 

This initiative is part of a strategy to reduce problem gambling by offering a streamlined way for players to take control of their betting habits across all regulated operators.

The implementation of BetStop, alongside the broader changes in the IGA, marks a continued push by the government to safeguard Australians from the risks of gambling while maintaining a fair and transparent online betting environment.