Do you love to gamble online? If you’re an Australian, your options for doing so may change. The government is currently drafting new regulations for online casinos, and it’s not clear yet what these will entail.
If you want to gamble online in Australia, you’ll need to do so from within the confines of the law. So what does that mean for Aussies who love to spin the reels or play blackjack online?
In this article, we’ll look at the current state of online gambling regulation in Australia and what changes might be on the horizon. Keep reading, and we’ll break it down for you.
The current state of online casino regulations in Australia
At present, there are no federal laws in Australia that specifically target online casinos. However, many existing laws can be used to regulate them, and the most relevant is the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA).
The IGA makes it illegal for gambling companies to offer ‘real money online gambling services to Australians. It means that technically speaking, it’s not currently possible for an online casino to operate legally within Australia.
However, the IGA does contain many loopholes that allow Australian-based companies to offer online gambling services to residents of other countries. It has led to the development of many ‘offshore’ online casinos targeting Australian players. These casinos are not based in Australia and are, therefore, not subject to the same laws and regulations.
However, this situation will likely change soon, as the government has indicated its intention to close these loopholes. In 2019, the federal government ordered an inquiry into online gambling, focusing on how best to protect Australians from the potentially harmful effects of gambling, like an addiction. This inquiry is still ongoing, but the government will likely use its findings to change the IGA and bring offshore casinos into line with Australian law.
Proposed changes to the regulations in 2022
The most likely change that will be made to the IGA is an amendment that would make it illegal for gambling companies to offer online casino services to Australians, regardless of whether they are based in Australia. It would effectively put an end to offshore casinos targeting Australian players.
Another possibility is that the government will make it illegal for Australians to gamble at any online casino, regardless of location. It would have a similar effect but would go one step further by making it impossible for Australians to gamble online.
It’s also possible that the government will take the third way and introduce stricter regulations on offshore casinos’ operations. It could involve forcing them to obtain a licence from the Australian government or subject them to the same advertising rules as Australian-based companies.
Whatever changes are made, they’re likely to come into effect in 2022. So if you’re an Australian who loves to gamble online, stay up to date with the latest news on the government’s plans. And remember: if you want to gamble safely and legally, it’s always best to do so within the confines of the law.
How the proposed changes will impact players and operators
The most significant impact of the proposed changes will be felt by offshore casinos that target Australian players. If the government makes it illegal for these companies to offer gambling services to Australians, they won’t be able to operate in the Australian market. It could lead to a number of these casinos going out of business.
Players will also be affected, as they will no longer be able to gamble at their favourite offshore casinos. However, there’s a chance that some of these casinos will find ways to continue operating in Australia, albeit in a more limited capacity. For example, they may only offer sports betting or poker rather than casino games.
The proposed changes will not directly affect Australian-based online casino operators. However, they may see an indirect impact, as the changes could lead to a reduction in players who are willing to gamble online.
The proposed changes to the IGA will significantly impact offshore casinos and Australian players. It remains to be seen how these changes will play out, but one thing is for sure: the online gambling landscape in Australia is about to change.
What you need to know about the proposed changes
If you’re an Australian who enjoys gambling at online casinos, you need to be aware of the proposed changes to the IGA. These could come into effect in 2022 and make it illegal for gambling companies to offer Australian online casino services.
Players would also be affected, as they would no longer be able to gamble at their favourite offshore casinos. However, some of these casinos may find ways to continue operating in Australia, albeit in a more limited capacity.
The proposed changes will not directly affect Australian-based online casino operators. However, they may see an indirect impact, as the changes could lead to a reduction in the number of players who are willing to gamble online.
Bottom line
The bottom line is that the proposed changes to the IGA will significantly impact offshore casinos and Australian players. If you’re an Australian who enjoys gambling at online casinos, stay up to date with the latest news on the government’s plans. And remember: if you want to gamble safely and legally, it’s always best to do so within the confines of the law.
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