Is Online Blackjack Legal in Australia?
Casinos have become one of Australia’s most popular pastimes thanks to the country’s relatively liberal gambling laws. The industry has flourished, with more than 80% of Australian residents participating in gaming activities.
The same can be said for online gambling. It is estimated that the online gambling industry in the Land Down Under has grown from $1 million in 1998 to $2.3 billion in 2017 and is expected to reach $4.5 billion by 2027. However, due to its dominance in the global market, it has been subject to numerous regulatory changes which have varied widely across states and territories.
But does this affect online blackjack in any way? Is it legal in Australia? Continue reading our article to find the answer to these and many other questions regarding online blackjack and Australian gambling laws in general.
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Online Gambling Laws in Australia
State and territory governments have always been responsible for casino gaming and gambling operations in Australia. The rapid adoption of new communications technologies by gambling providers has sparked the Commonwealth’s interest since this is an area within its constitutional responsibilities.
In addition, the growth of online gaming has influenced regulations, community welfare, and revenue collection procedures in a significant way. Currently, the Interactive Gambling Act regulates online gambling operations on Australian soil. We will discuss more about it in the following paragraphs.
Interactive Gambling Act of 2001
Having seen that online gambling was on the rise, the Australian government decided to take the matter into its own hands and regulate it. Thus, the Commonwealth Parliament of Australia passed the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001, targeting web-based gambling activities and providers. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is the regulatory body overseeing online gambling.
The Act is primarily concerned with online gambling in the country, prohibiting Australians from participating in real-money web-based interactive gambling and companies in the country from providing online gambling services. Any online gaming operator, local or offshore, is covered by the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001.
A company must apply for a licence if it wants to offer online gambling services to local players. However, that is not an easy feat. Licences are typically issued by states or territories and are monopolistic or very limited. Companies in the country can’t apply, but offshore casinos can (although none do due to high tax rates). All they need is a licence from the federation and the territory in which they intend to operate. Further, casino software providers must be authorized by the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO).
It is not illegal to access and use online casinos’ gaming services. The point is that Australian operators running gambling sites can only offer their services to Australian players outside Australia. It’s worth noting that operators are responsible for blocking Australians from accessing any form of gambling except sports betting and lotteries on their sites.
In addition, online casinos are prohibited from advertising real-money interactive gaming services such as online poker and casinos to Australian players. This also applies to several ‘’designated countries’’ — countries with similar legislation preventing Australians from accessing their services.
It’s worth noting that certain forms of gambling are permitted under the IGA, but most aren’t. The prohibited ones include pokies, in-play sports betting, scratchies, and table games, such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps, and others. This means blackjack fans won’t find legal real-money games online within the country’s borders.
The IGA’s goal is to protect Australian residents from online gambling’s harmful effects. On the other hand, the bill does not explicitly prohibit local citizens from accessing or using the services provided by international casinos or gambling platforms. In fact, there are hundreds of offshore casinos that accept Australian players and provide them with a variety of wagering options.
The Interactive Gambling Act was amended in 2017 when the number of illegal foreign online casinos increased, and the government decided to regulate them more. Suspicious operators and those without a licence were barred from offering services, and around 180 rigged online operators have left the Australian market since then.
As the IGA strictly prohibits interstate online casinos offering services to Australian citizens, they can always visit offshore gambling venues and find a whole range of gambling options. However, they must be aware that if they experience any issues at offshore sites, they won’t get any help from the country’s gambling authorities.
Can You Access Offshore Online Casinos?
There is a provision in the IGA that states:
‘’Unless the contrary intention appears, this Act extends to acts, omissions, matters, and things outside Australia.’’
Considering this, it is unclear whether Australian law prohibits offshore gambling sites from accepting Australian customers. Plus, the government doesn’t prevent them from doing so or enforce any punitive measures. It only targets companies, not individual players.
In fact, numerous offshore casinos continue to accept local players to this day without consequence. Certain politicians argue from time to time about cracking down on offshore internet gambling in the Land Down Under, yet there doesn’t seem to be much actual interest in doing so.
Since there are no interstate online casinos and visiting offshore online platforms doesn’t pose any threat, this is where you can find most Australian players. These platforms are the Mecca for blackjack enthusiasts. No land-based casino offers as many titles as they do.
Additionally, many international sites are licensed and safe, so players can enjoy playing blackjack with peace of mind. As an added bonus, players’ winnings are not subject to taxes in Australia. The government sees this money as income from a hobby or the result of luck.
Recent Legal Developments
The online blackjack situation may change in Australia in the near future due to some developments in recent years.
Australian legislators proposed a law similar to US’s UIGEA to prevent Australians from playing on foreign sites. As a result, banks would not be able to process online gambling transactions. However, none of these efforts were successful. Banks said that putting such a scheme in place would be too difficult given the legality of many online gambling transactions in Australia.
As part of a recent review of the IGA, a proposal has been made to prevent money from leaving the country. Licences should be granted to Australian companies to operate online casinos and poker rooms. This means Australians would have the option of playing at locally licensed and regulated sites. However, it appears gambling expansion and trial licenses for online blackjack will not be granted any time soon due to the lack of political support.
Conclusion
Australian players adopted online gambling early, and the industry was regulated through a 2001 law. Even though the law restricts online gambling to a certain extent and is strict to unlicensed gambling platforms, there are still loopholes that allow regional players to enjoy it. Until blackjack can be played legally in the country, players can play their favourite casino classic at offshore sites. However, it is essential to choose a reliable one.
FAQ
Can I play online blackjack in Australia?
As an Australian citizen, you can’t play table games, blackjack included, at online casinos licensed within the country. However, many offshore gambling venues cater to local players and offer a wide range of blackjack titles, live dealer, or RNG. Players must be at least 18 years old.
Can I claim a blackjack bonus in Australia?
Yes. Almost every offshore casino welcomes you on board by offering a welcome bonus, including all of the blackjack sites we have featured on this page.
Can I play blackjack for free in Australia?
Yes, you can play your favourite card game for free or in demo mode on many Australian blackjack sites, including those we picked for you. It’s a great feature for newcomers who don’t want to risk real money before trying the game.
