Australia is a country where the gambling business is considered quite respectable and popular. In this article you will find out is it legal in the country or not, what do they like to play more, how the government fights against gambling addiction, and more interesting information about the industry of online casinos.
Gambling industry in Australia
Australia is considered to be the country with the most gambling activity in the world for a reason – every Australian spends $ 1,300 a year on gambling. At the same time, the budgets of individual states are, on average, 10% formed at the expense of income from the gambling business. And this is not the limit.
Online versions of games have become popular mainly due to their availability, computerization, and simplicity of interfaces. It should be said that various kinds of casino bonuses and other free deposits, as well as various promotions, also lure players, assuring them of the huge winnings that will come in the future. Today, to take part in online casino games, you only need access to the virtual Internet network, and your presence in this or that place does not matter at all.
Is online gambling legal?
Yes, online gambling is legal in Australia, but with one caveat: for customers. However, since this is still not the case from a legal point of view, it is a criminal offense to play online poker or casino games, but despite this, many Australians freely use CasinoChan Australia and many popular online casinos to meet their gambling needs.
Online lotteries and sports betting are considered legal as long as they are not connected to an Internet business, but land based one. However, in-game sports betting is classified as “interactive” gambling, thus falling under the Interactive Gambling Act, therefore if Australian online bookmakers offer this to their residents, it is illegal to do so. Nevertheless, players in Australia still use in-game betting, while using the services of foreign operators.
Luckily for Australians, winnings are tax-free.
Popular Markets
Australians use online providers to legally place bets on a variety of sporting events, including horse racing, rugby, football, and of course cricket. According to a survey, 59% of Australians were more interested in cricket than any other sport. There are other major annual sports betting events such as the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, but the next most popular with fans is Australian football.
Fight against gambling addiction
In Australia, conditions for players are also regularly tightened. Starting in 2017, anyone wishing to play a slot machine in a pub or bar must first confirm their identity. Plus read the recommendations on the negative impact of gambling.
In December 2019, a separate law was adopted to combat gambling addiction. Under this initiative, the country will establish a National Self-Exclusion Register for individuals at risk of problem gambling behavior. Also, the Australian Banking Association announced that it plans to restrict the use of local bank credit cards to fund deposits on casino sites.