Gambling is legal in Australia. The Australian government has its regulatory agency called the
Australian Classification Review Board (ACRB). This board makes sure that video game consoles, slot
machines, electronic gaming machines, and other forms of gambling are age-appropriate and non-
violent. Here is an article on the regulators responsible for regulating gambling in Australia.
Victoria (Vic)
The Victorian regulator responsible for overseeing the state’s gambling industry, the Office of Liquor
and Gaming Regulation, has been accused of failing to properly regulate online poker-based games
in recent years despite an influx of new players from overseas. In documents obtained by The Age
under freedom-of-information laws, OLGR officials said they had repeatedly warned the operators of
gaming websites like Pokerstars.com that they were not permitted to offer Australian gamblers a
chance to play these games.
But the regulator still allowed the sites to operate within its jurisdiction, even when it knew they
were breaking rules designed to keep Australians safe from predatory foreign scams and underage
gambling. Moreover, many members of the public would have been unaware their local Aussie-only
gaming businesses were being operated out of offshore locations since they do not appear on any
national government list of licensed internet casinos, poker clubs or sports betting shops.
They were also unable to detect if their money was going to the same place where the sites claimed
to be located because the operators refused to disclose who owned them, or whether they even
existed at all. And the OLGR’s apparent inability or unwillingness to police the websites meant there
was no way anyone could know if the players were getting a fair deal. Moreover, Victoria is one of
four states where residents can access legal online poker through websites such as Pokerstars.com.
New South Wales (NSW)
The NSW regulatory body responsible for governing the country’s gaming sector, the Independent
Commission Against Corruption, was aware of issues with overseas websites offering online poker-
based games back in 2014 but failed to put a stop to it even though the companies concerned
openly admitted they did not adhere to strict anti-money laundering and financial crime prevention
regulations.
In addition, a search of the organisation’s records shows ICAC officers contacted the operator of
three different websites offering non-Australian residents the opportunity to play online poker
multiple times between June 2014 and October 2015. And each time the organisation told the
operators to cease providing services to those customers. But despite this, the organisations
continued to provide the service.
Queensland (Qld)
The Queensland State Government oversees the operation of the state's gambling industry and
regulates the activities of bookmakers, lotteries, racecourses, casinos and other related matters. It is
made up of two commissioners – one each appointed by the government of Queensland and the
federal parliament.
Furthermore, ICAGA is responsible for ensuring the law is applied consistently across the state,
protecting consumers, promoting integrity and accountability in the game, and developing effective
consumer protection programs.
Gambling operations in Queensland follow the guidelines set by the Interactive Gambling
Amendment Act 2004, which came into effect on 1 January 2007. This legislation replaced the gambling prohibition act; that prohibited almost every form of gambling known to man except
horse racing and greyhound racing. The new act permits many forms of gambling as long as it
complies with certain requirements.
In addition to these legislative provisions, IGAs must comply with the consumer protections
contained in the Australian Consumer Law to ensure that gamblers receive fair deals and get what
has been promised. Gambling in Queensland
Tasmania (Tas)
To make sure individuals are using the internet safely, Tasmania's Department of Commerce,
Primary Industries & Gaming publishes information about Internet gambling products and
companies on its website or via free email blasts. The department encourages Tasmanians involved
in Internet gambling to use the email address "taspoker@tcptas.gov.au."
In March 2009, TCPG commissioned an independent review of the regulation of online gaming in
Australia. The report, A Report On Online Gambling Regulation in Australia, concluded: information
on the background and history of both jurisdictions would assist stakeholders in the promotion of
sustainable growth of the online gaming market in Australia.
South Australia (SA)
The South Australian Division of Fair Trading regulates gambling advertising and marketing. They
also inspect licensed clubs at least once per year to ensure compliance with regulations regarding
minimum age for entry, hours of operation and public access. And their main focus is aimed towards
protecting minors from gambling problems; however, they have jurisdiction over all gambling
enterprises within the state.
In conclusion, many regulators are responsible for regulating gambling in Australia. And these
include Tasmania, South Australia, Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales (NSW). Moreover,
these regulators are the ones that make sure that there will be no violence in gambling.