Mobile Gambling Law

You have found an Australian-friendly mobile casino which is a perfect fit for you and you want to take a chance on some thrilling games there, but you are not sure if it is legal? It may come as a surprise that it is one of the most common questions when it comes to mobile gambling and Mobile Casinos Australia is a perfect place where you can find all you need to know about mobile gambling laws and bodies which regulate this field Down Under.

Whether you are just a curious about how mobile casinos function and you want to play for free or you are determined to wager some real money, you don't want to get in trouble with authorities. We suggest that you stay with us and keep reading this text which will provide you with all the necessary information on mobile gambling and laws addressing it in Australia.

Legality of Mobile Gambling

If you have been wondering if mobile gambling is legal in Australia, the answer is simple - yes. Australians are allowed to gamble on the Internet as there are no laws addressing players. However, a ban is established on real money Australian-based gambling sites and gambling applications, so Aussies should look for reliable offshore casinos that cater to them and accept wagers in AUD.

What this practically means? Well, if you want to run an online or mobile casino within Australian borders you will break the law, according to the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001. Besides, due to the ban on real money mobile gaming applications, Google Play and the App Store have removed such apps and they no longer advertise licensed gambling applications or real money Poker games. They also remove all pokies, Blackjack and Roulette apps as they appear.

However, you can still access gambling sites directly from your mobile browser and enjoy playing at them with no worries about breaking the law. Since you have to rely on mobile casinos registered abroad and there is no Australian gaming authority which protects you, choose only reputable mobile casinos to play at and we suggest that you stick to those featured on our gambling portal as they are fully tested and proven to be fair and safe.

Who Regulates Mobile Gambling

Although the Australian Government manages regulations addressing online and offline gambling throughout Australia, each state or territory within the country has its own gaming body with a specific set of rules and regulations. When it comes to Australian Capital Territory, the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission holds the sway and controls the casino market.

In New South Wales it is the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing while in Northern Territory the Licensing Commission is a body which bans online and mobile casinos. Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation is in charge in Queensland, while online and offline gambling in South Australia is overseen by Independent Gambling Authority. Other bodies regulating this field in Australia are Tasmanian Gaming Commission, Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation and Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor in Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia respectively.

No matter how the list extensive may be, keep in mind that regardless of your location, you cannot appeal to any authority if you have been a victim of fraud while playing at a mobile casino as long as it is registered abroad.

Interactive Gambling Act of 2001

Until June 2001, operating an online casino in Australia and offering its services to the Australian residents was legal. The Interactive Gambling Act of 2001 or shortly IGA was passed by the Australian Commonwealth Parliament with the aim of protecting Australian citizens from the potential dangers of online gambling. According to it, offering or advertising real money online gambling services to the citizens of Australia is considered as breaking the law.

Offering real money online gambling services including Roulette, Blackjack and Poker, as well as in-play online sports betting to Australian citizens and advertising real money interactive gambling services to them are prohibited by the IGA. It targets individuals and companies operating and advertising online casinos within Australian borders aimed at Australians. Those caught red-handed can pay a maximum penalty of AU$220,000 up to AU $1.1 million per day depending if a casino is run by an individual or a company.

However, players from other parts of the world can be still offered services from Australian operators including sports betting and lotteries. Running lotteries within Australia is legal providing operators hold a required license. As for players, the most important aspect of the Act is that it does not contain any rules that prevent Australian citizens from placing real money wagers on the Internet, so they can still enjoy betting services offered by offshore online gaming operators.

Future of Mobile Gambling

Offshore gambling sites catering to Australian players are believed not to comply with the IGA conditions by the authorities, so reforms to prohibit online Poker and in-play betting remain in place. No matter what happens in the future, Australian players will be able to partake in this form of entertainment provided by foreign gaming operators and playing at offshore mobile casino will continue to be legal for Aussies for fun or for real money, that's for sure.