Online gambling and sports betting in Australian Capital Territory

• Federal law bans online casino; online wagering exempt but regulated
• ACT regulates online sports bookmakers; online gaming not regulated
• ACT Gambling and Racing Commission is primary regulator
• Race and Sports Bookmaking Act 2001 and Totalisator Act 2014 govern wagering
• Interactive Gambling Act 1998 (ACT) provides online gambling framework but largely inoperative due to federal IGA
• Retail wagering offered via licensed totalisator arrangements (e.g. TAB)
• ACT Code of Practice sets detailed advertising and harm‑minimisation rules
• Gambling ads must not encourage contravening gaming laws; must include counselling information
• Federal IGA prohibits provision of unlicensed offshore interactive gambling to Australians
• Federal 2023 credit and other measures bill tightens payment rules for interactive wagering

ACT Gambling and Racing Commission

Commonwealth: Interactive Gambling Act 2001; ACT: Race and Sports Bookmaking Act 2001; Totalisator Act 2014; Interactive Gambling Act 1998; Gambling and Racing Control (Code of Practice) Regulation 2002.

Prohibited. ACT: Gambling and Racing Control (Code of Practice) Regulation 2002 (prohibition on advertising encouraging contraventions of gaming laws); Commonwealth: Interactive Gambling Act 2001 restrictions on advertising prohibited interactive gambling services and offshore provision.

ACT Code of Practice bans advertising that encourages contravening gaming laws, while the federal IGA and related reforms target offshore illegal interactive gambling and restrict marketing of certain services.

National rules also apply — see online gambling regulation in Australia.

We could not confirm a public list of licensed operators.

• Commonwealth IGA strengthened against offshore providers and illegal services, including higher penalties and ACMA enforcement tools
• Interactive Gambling Amendment (Credit and Other Measures) Bill 2023 bans credit cards and certain digital payments for interactive wagering services
• ACT Code of Practice updated, including detailed advertising and direct marketing restrictions
• Federal reviews of the IGA confirm continuing prohibition on online casino-style gaming while permitting licensed pre‑event wagering

• Exact launch date of online wagering under ACT licensing not identified in cited sources
• Whether the ACT regulator maintains a public, up-to-date list of licensed online bookmakers on its website
• Whether sweepstakes/social casinos are treated as gambling, consumer promotions, or prohibited interactive gambling in the ACT.
• Whether prediction markets are regulated by ASIC/financial-product rules or treated as wagering in the ACT.
• Whether paid mystery boxes/loot boxes are explicitly regulated in the ACT or under broader consumer law only.

1. gamblingandracing.act.gov.au/industry/racing-and-wagering
2. gamblingandracing.act.gov.au/industry/on-line-gambling
3. infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/Interim_Report-Review_of-the_Interactive_Gambling_Act_2001.pdf
4. legislation.act.gov.au/DownloadFile/sl/2002-28/20210527-76531/PDF/2002-28.PDF
5. infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/Final_Report_-_Review_of_the_Interactive_Gambling_Act_2001.pdf
6. help.tab.com.au/tab-retail/whats-new-in-retail
7. austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdb/au/legis/cth/consol_act/iga2001193/
8. legislation.gov.au/C2004A00851/latest/text
9. pokersites.org/au
10. pokernews.com/sites/australia.htm
11. dazardbet-austria.com/poker/
12. riverodds.app/poker-in-australia/
13. wisestaker.com/gambling-laws/australia/
14. cardplayer.com/au/online-poker
15. lawpath.com.au/blog/legal-play-online-poker-australia
16. pokiesaustralia.com/gambling-regulations-in-australia/

Researched 2026-09-21 from public sources and summarised by the Brandfense team. Not legal advice — confirm with the regulator or your counsel before acting.