Sports betting is completely legal in Australia for Australian residents and visitors when conducted through licensed operators. The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 allows for the provision of online and telephone sports betting services to customers in Australia, provided that the betting agencies are licensed by an Australian state or territory licensing authority (1). Each state and territory has its own legislation that regulates sports betting, creating a comprehensive framework for legal wagering activities.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) maintains a register of licensed interactive wagering service providers that are authorized to operate in Australia, and it is mandatory to use only these registered operators (1). The regulatory framework permits pre-event sports betting but prohibits in-play betting for online platforms. However, in-play betting is still available through telephone services with licensed operators, ensuring responsible gambling practices while maintaining accessibility for bettors.
"Before you use any online wagering service over the internet, make sure it is legal. It must be on the register of licensed interactive gambling providers."
Australian sports betting operators must comply with strict anti-money laundering regulations enforced by AUSTRAC (Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre), which ensures the integrity of the financial system and prevents criminal activities within the gambling sector (2). The regulatory environment includes consumer protection measures such as the National Self-Exclusion Register (BetStop), which allows individuals to exclude themselves from all Australian licensed online and phone wagering services. These comprehensive regulations make sports betting not only legal but also well-protected and properly supervised in Australia.
Source:
https://www.acma.gov.au/about-interactive-gambling-act
https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/media-communications-arts/gambling/interactive-gambling
Last updated: 15-09-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
