Gambling reforms

Online gambling service providers cannot provide credit to people who gamble on their site or app (with limited exemptions). 

Implementation status: Implemented 17 February 2018.

Regulated by: Australian Communications and Media Authority via the Interactive Gambling Amendments Act 2017(Opens in a new tab/window).

Visit the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA)(Opens in a new tab/window) website for more details.

Restricting the use of small amount credit contracts (payday lending) for online gambling to better protect consumers.

Implementation status: Implemented 17 February 2018.

Regulated by: Australian Communications and Media Authority via the Interactive Gambling Amendments Act 2017(Opens in a new tab/window).

A customer’s identity must be verified when they register for a new account and before they can place a bet.

Since 2019, the allowable period for identity verification has reduced from 90 days, to 14 days, to 72 hours and is now required to be completed prior to commencing gambling. 

Underage gamblers and those who have self-excluded are more vulnerable. Mandatory identify pre-verification is critical to reducing harms for these groups. 

Implementation status: Implemented 26 February 2019, updated 2 May 2022, updated 29 September 2023.

Regulated by: Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) via the Anti Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing Rules Instrument 2007(Opens in a new tab/window) (AML/CTF Rules).

Online gambling providers cannot offer any incentives to open an account or to refer another person to open an account.

This measure protects consumers from incentive-based marketing and strengthens standards for direct marketing.

Implementation status: Implemented 26 May 2019 (all jurisdictions except NSW) and 26 November 2019 (NSW).

Regulated by: States and territories.

Online gambling providers have to prominently display information on how to close an account. The account closure process must start as soon as the provider receives the request. Providers cannot entice consumers to keep an account open.

Implementation status: Implemented 26 May 2019 (all jurisdictions except NSW) and 26 November 2019 (NSW)

Regulated by: States and territories

Every online gambling provider is required to offer deposit limits. Customers can track and manage their gambling by setting limits before they start gambling. The deposit limits cannot be increased on the spot.

Implementation status: Implemented 26 May 2019.

Regulated by: States and territories.

Activity statements increase consumers’ awareness of their spending, wins, and losses. They will be sent monthly and will be easily accessible.

Implementation status: Implemented 31 July 2022.

Regulated by: States and territories.

All online gambling providers must use the same messaging about the risks and potential harm of gambling. This ensures consistent and effective messaging about safer gambling practices.

This includes:

• advertising
• direct marketing
• websites
• other direct communications to consumers.

Implementation status: Implemented 30 March 2023.

Regulated by: States and territories.

All staff involved in the online gambling industry will be required to undertake training in the responsible service of online wagering. This will reduce harm by creating a culture of safer gambling within wagering organisations nationally.

Implementation status: Implemented 30 March 2023.

Regulated by: States and territories.

BetStop - the National Self-Exclusion Register allows consumers to exclude themselves from all interactive gambling services in Australia. Registering is a quick and easy process. People will be able to exclude themselves from all interactive gambling services and direct marketing for a minimum of 3 months, up to a lifetime.

Implementation status: Implemented 21 August 2023.

Regulated by: Regulated by the Australian Communications and Media Authority through the Interactive Gambling Act 2001(Opens in a new tab/window).