Will Australia Introduce a National Online Casino Licensing System? Options from AuCasinosReviews.com

Unlike Canada and the UK, Australia does not have a centralised licence for australian casinos. Each territory independently decides on the legalisation of online gambling market participants. As a result, local companies operate within the law, while offshore companies continue to accept players without restrictions.

Authorities are discussing a national licensing option that could make it easier to control the industry. AuCasinosReviews.com has conducted a detailed analysis of the possible changes. Aaron Jacobs, editor-in-chief of the portal, Archie Statton, casino and game tester, and Matthew Gillison, payment methods and security expert, have studied the reform options and their implications for players. In this piece – facts, predictions and possible scenarios for online casinos Australia.

How Does Online Casino Licensing Work in Australia?

Australia does not have a single national licence for gambling platforms. Instead, authorisations are issued by regional regulators:

• Northern Territory Racing Commission (NTRC) is the largest licensor for betting platforms and casinos;
• ACT Gambling and Racing Commission – regulates gambling in the Australian Capital Territory;
• Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) – controls the gambling industry in Victoria;
• Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA, NSW) – regulates online casino AUS in New South Wales.

Each regulator has its own rules and requirements for licensees, resulting in a fragmented market. Some regions only allow sports betting, while banning online casinos. Others only issue licences for local companies, forcing large platforms to register outside the country.

Why Do Offshore Casinos Remain in A Grey Area?

There is effectively no ban on playing at overseas online casinos for Australians. Under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA), foreign companies are prohibited from advertising services and operating without a licence, but there are no blocking mechanisms for players.

As a result, thousands of Australians continue to play on international websites. And this is reasonable: they have no restrictions on deposit and loss limits, offer large bonuses and loyal betting terms, and allow anonymous payments via cryptocurrency.

How Does This Affect Taxes and Player Safety?

Without a national licence, offshore casinos pay no tax in Australia. In 2023, according to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), up to 80 per cent of online betting is done on overseas sites, resulting in a multi-million dollar loss of tax revenue.

Players are also not protected by Australian law when disputes arise with unlicensed gambling operators. If Australia online casino delays payments, changes bonus rules or cancels winnings, there is simply no one to complain to – the Australian Communications and Media Commission (ACMA) does not regulate offshore companies. That is why the introduction of a single federal licence is discussed very often.

What National Licensing Models are Possible in Australia?

Several options for regulating australian online casinos are being considered. The experience of other countries shows that there is no universal solution, but there are three models that can be adapted to local realities.

Single Federal Licence (UK, Malta Model)

The system requires each casino online Australia to have one licence at the state level, with a central regulator overseeing the industry.

Examples of countries with such a system:

• UK (UK Gambling Commission) – strict certification of companies, protection of players’ rights, restriction of advertising;
• Malta (Malta Gaming Authority, MGA) – flexible conditions for gambling operators, but high control of financial flows;
• Sweden (Spelinspektionen) – limited bonuses, strict deposit limits.

If Australia goes down this path, it is likely that there will be uniform standards for all casinos (RTP, KYC, game integrity checks). There will be restrictions on offshore sites without an Australian licence. This will ensure full protection of players’ rights, including the ability to complain to the regulator.

Limited Access Regulation for International Casinos (German Model)

In 2021, Germany introduced a system where only national companies can legally offer online gambling. International sites are not prohibited from operating, but only under strict conditions.

The country has strict limits on bets and deposits (no more than €1,000 per month per player), and the list of games is limited. For example, live casino is not available to German users. There is also a compulsory registration of all players in the state database.

Mixed System (Regional Licences + Federal Standards)

This option does not prohibit the existence of separate regional licences, but introduces uniform minimum requirements at the national level. This approach is used in:

• Canada – provinces regulate the market, but federal agencies set the general rules;
• USA – each state decides for itself whether to legalise online gambling, but there are common standards for AML and player protection.

What will change in Australia when this model is introduced? Any aussie casino online will be able to obtain licences in different states but be subject to common requirements. Federal control will ensure transparency of transactions and protection of users. There will be freedom to choose between regional and international gambling operators without restrictions.

Which Model is Most Likely to Be the Most Likely?

Australia is not yet ready for radical changes, but a mixed system looks the most realistic. This approach would preserve regional autonomy, but at the same time provide uniform security and taxation standards for online casino Australia.

What’s in Store for the Online Casino Market in Australia?

The Australian gambling industry is on the verge of major changes. A national licence could be a tool that would allow the government to set clear rules for all gambling platforms, strengthen player protection and increase tax revenues. But rapid implementation of the system is unlikely – discussions on the reform have been going on for several years, and no unified decision has been made.

The most likely scenario for the coming years is that offshore casinos will become more controlled and a mixed licensing model will gradually develop. This means that players will have to keep a close eye on the changes: new laws may affect access to aussie online casino without a licence, methods of depositing and receiving bonuses.