Best Online Casinos in Australia

The gaming industry continues to grow, and with the popularity of online gaming only increasing, there are ample gaming options for players to explore. More regions are embracing the online gaming industry. Australia is one of the regions that have a long and rich history with gaming and tends to be more open to embracing gaming culture. This does not apply to all different types of gaming. 

If you’re based in Australia and curious about Casinos in Australia or the types of Gambling in Australia accessible to you, then you’re in the right place. We look at Australian Casinos, their history, regulations, and the promotions available to boost player gameplay. Keep reading to find out all there is to know about Australian Gambling.

Gambling is an activity enjoyed by many Australians. When it comes to land-based gaming, you will find that there are many legal gambling forms of betting entertainment to enjoy. With some of the most popular, including pokie machines, horse racing, and lotteries. 

With the 2001 Interactive Gambling Act in place, there are several restrictions in terms of online gaming. They prohibit the promotion of gambling in all jurisdictions. There are only legislative exceptions when gambling activities are provided under a license. This applies to land-based and online lotteries. 

Online gaming is more restricted, with regular online casinos and pokies prohibited. Legal forms of online gaming include sports betting and lotteries. There are still foreign operators who provide gaming services to Australian Casino players. We provide you with a list of the top and most secure online casinos available to Australian players.

Australia is a region with a rich gambling history. The earliest forms of gambling date back to 1810, when the first official horse race and betting took place. At this time, horse racing was already very popular in New South Wales. By the 1840s, horse racing had already become common throughout Australia. It was in 1861 when things were kicked up a notch when the Victorian Racing Club organized the Melbourne Cup, capitalizing on gambling. The Cup is still around today, with many betting on it. According to sources, about $14 billion in wagers are still placed on it annually. 

In 1916 Australia had its first government-run lottery, but it should be noted that lotteries had already started in the 1880s. The very first slot machines or pokies were launched in 1953 by the private company, Aristocrat. Pokies are extremely popular, with over 300,000 machines operating annually. 

The first land-based casino launched in 1973. Online gaming is a bit more restricted thanks to the 2001 Interactive Gambling Act, but there are still some ways players can enjoy quality online betting via select loopholes. 

Gambling is a popular pastime in Australia, with plenty of land-based betting options. There are more restrictions for online players but still several sites that provide secure betting.

For Australian gamblers, there are different forms of gaming entertainment to take part in. This includes everything from online to land-based gaming activities. With most gaming venues, both online and offline, give you access to a wide variety of gaming types. 

Here are some of the popular gaming types Australia has to offer:

Online Casinos Gaming

First and foremost, there is the online casino gaming industry has exploded, giving players the opportunity to access their favorite games and betting options conveniently from home or on the move. 

There are plenty of trusted Australian online casinos you can choose to bet at. Each of these sites can have different game types and game providers stocking the library. Legal online gaming forms include sports betting and lotteries. Pokies and regular online casinos are not allowed to operate in Australia, but you’ll still find many that do. 

There is also an exciting collection of table games for RNG and live dealer players. Take a seat at the virtual tables and take on the dealer in Baccarat, Blackjack, Roulette, or Poker. With live casino games, you can even enjoy a live gameshow experience. 

Land-based Casinos

Land-based gaming is nowhere near dead. In fact, in Australia, you have a great selection of land-based casinos you can visit. These casinos are spread across Australia, with one in most major cities. In 2023 there are 14 land-based casinos where you can enjoy the lively atmosphere, betting at tables with real dealers, and playing physical pokies. Aside from the gaming action, these establishments have different entertainment options, which can often make it perfect for a group or family outing. 

Sports Betting

The sports betting industry continues to grow and has also reached the Australian gaming industry. For sports bettors, there are plenty of betting options you can take part in on the top sports leagues and games. There are sports betting options for NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, Cricket, UFC, Boxing, MMA, Ice Hockey, and so much more. Many sites have personalized offers for sports bettors to boost their betting experience. 

Horse Racing

In terms of sports betting, Horse Racing is in its own league with dedicated sports sites for horse racing exclusively. Horse Racing enables you to bet on the current horse races. There are different betting options which include favorite to win. It’s an exciting betting avenue for those who really enjoy following Horse Racing. If you’re a big fan of horse racing, then you’ll find Australia to be one of the regions with the most exciting range of betting options. 

Lottery

The lottery is one of the oldest and most popular forms of gambling, which can be enjoyed on and offline. There are different lottery options including even lottery games in online casinos. It’s a quick style betting opportunity that can lead to massive possible payouts. 

Online Poker

Poker is one of the most popular gaming types among Australian players. The use of skill and strategy is a thrill for players. With Poker, you can compete against other players for the chance to put together the best possible hand. To be a winner, you will need to have a deep understanding of the game rules combined with a good poker face. 

Fantasy Sports

Another betting type gaining popularity in Australia is eSports betting. More Australians are starting to shift focus towards fantasy sports betting. There are different fantasy sports game types you can partake in, which include Fixed Prize Contests, 50/50 Contests, Head-to-head contests, and other custom contests. There are different types of sports to bet on, which include Cricket, NRL, AFL, Horse Racing, NHL, NFL, NBA, Gold, and more.

For Online casino bettors in Australia, there’s more than just the thrill of gaming to look forward to. Australian betting sites and online casinos tend to offer bonuses and promotions to boost gameplay. 

Here are some of the popular bonus offers:

All promotions and bonuses at secure and regulated sites fall under regulatory requirements. They come with strict terms and conditions, which will be easily available on the promotional page. You can check the terms for minimum deposit, maximum bonus, and maximum win caps, along with other limits and requirements like wagering requirements. 

As a rule, winning can’t be withdrawn until the wagering requirements have been met.

It’s very important to find a space that doesn’t just offer you the greatest forms of entertainment but also the most trusted payment methods. You want peace of mind, knowing that deposits and withdrawals are transacted securely. 

Here are a couple of the top Payment Methods available to Australian players:

Debit/ Credit Cards

There are a number of trusted and well-known credit and debit cards you can use when playing at Australian Online Casinos. These include MasterCard, Visa, Maestro, and American Express. The thing that makes these payment methods so popular is the familiarity. People know how it works and that it is a safe payment method. It’s a method used for different transactions, which makes it a no brained to use in online casinos. 

Digital Wallets

Another go to payment method among Australian players is digital wallets or eWallets. This is a third-party based payment method where funds are transferred from your bank to the online casino. One of the biggest perks is that none of your personal information gets shared during transactions. There are different digital payment methods you can use, including Neteller, Skrill, EcoPayz, and NeoSurf. These methods can be used for deposits and withdrawals. 

Cryptocurrency 

Growing in popularity is using cryptocurrency for online casino transactions. There is a wide range of benefits derived from depositing and withdrawing using cryptocurrency. There are different cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, Tether, and more. With the use of blockchain technology, it removes any mediator and gives you full control over transactions and your funds. It also comes with additional security and faster payout speeds. 

Pay by Phone

One of the latest payment methods used by casino players in Australia is to pay later via your phone bill. This makes it easy to deposit and play in the moment without instantly worrying about the funds. It’s the perfect payment method for those who don’t require big amounts. You get to deposit instantly, and funds are then subtracted from your next phone bill. 

Direct Bank Transfers

Then there is the old-fashioned option of Direct Bank Transfers, where you send the money straight from your bank account to your casino account. It might be considered a traditional payment method, but it remains one of the most popular and trusted payment methods available to online gamers. Most sites accept bank transfers. Not all allow for deposits via Bank Transfer, but the majority do withdrawals with this payment method. At some sites, withdrawal options may come with fees.

Aside from the quality of gaming options and payment methods, there is great emphasis placed on responsible gameplay. In the last couple of years, the industry has changed a lot leading to Australian Casinos being required to add responsible gaming features such as self-exclusion options and responsible gaming tools. The objective is to allow players to enjoy the entertainment the industry has to offer without losing control. 

Operators here will often include taglines that keep players in touch with reality and remind them that winning is up to chance and losing is a real possibility. There are 7 taglines you’ll commonly see on these sites, which include things like “Are you really sure you want to place this bet here now?”. The aim is to help players pause and reflect before going on a betting spree. 

Here are a couple of organizations available to assist those struggling with responsible gaming: 

GambleAware

GambleAware is there to assist those who are trying to be gamble aware. They provide tons of information on how to gamble safely. There is also free, confidential support for those who have been affected by gambling. 

Telephone number: 1800 858 858
Website: gambleaware.nsw.gov.au

Relationships Australia South Australia

This website has been assisting with gambling help services since 1995 and aims to support people in making change for the better. They provide a variety of services to those who have been affected by gambling. 

Telephone number: 1800 182 325
Website: rasa.org.au

Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation

This foundation was established to support those who have been affected by gambling harm. This also includes family members and friends of those experiencing problems. They have a public health approach that helps with prevention and early intervention. They also work closely with organizations across Victoria to help with free and confidential gambler help services. 

Telephone number: 1800 858 858
Website: responsiblegambling.vic.gov.au