Can Australian gamblers get their hands on some of the biggest games without leaving the comfort of home? According to the latest figures from the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (IGEA), Australia now has 7% of the global gaming population.
Most Australians play online games through websites accessed via a web browser such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. In 2017, the percentage of Australians accessing these sites from mobile devices jumped from 9% to 19%. This has enabled more people to play online games in the comfort of their homes, regardless of where they live.
Now, we would like to look at the history of online gambling in Australia.
How Gambling Began in Australia
In the late 1800s, gambling was introduced in Australia with some Englishmen betting on horse races and cockfights. There were also casino halls that offered roulette, craps, and baccarat. But it wasn’t until the 1960s that there were online casinos. These early online versions weren’t exactly sophisticated and you couldn’t win real money. You could only gamble by playing games against other players for fun on your desktop computer.
The first official online casinos opened in the 1990s. They were run by companies based overseas but Australia had no laws regulating them at this time. So these offshore companies found a way around this problem by offering poker rooms instead of the classic table games most customers wanted. At the same time, new technology allowed gamblers to connect online. All they needed was an Internet connection and a reliable phone line.
Online Gambling Laws in Australia
In 1996, several US states began restricting people from playing online, which led to complaints about the quality of service some users received. The following year when the Government of New South Wales tried its hand at legislation banning gambling, people protested the move, saying it unfairly targeted interstate gambling operators.
That is why the government decided not to go ahead with the plan. Instead, the lawmakers passed regulations dictating how operators should operate and what services they may offer. It required all casinos to conduct background checks on prospective employees and ensure that the company complied with anti-money laundering regulations.
Australian Gambling Industry Growth
Since then, the market for online gaming has boomed, driven mainly by high traffic from gamers who prefer to access the games from their smartphones or tablets.
A few years ago, the government added even more rules that aimed to keep people safe. To reduce underage usage, they limited the time minors can spend online. In addition, the age limit increased to 18. When it became illegal for under 18s to place bets or gamble anywhere except within a regulated venue, many online gambling businesses set up separate websites specifically for young adults. Nowadays, younger children are barred from visiting any of these websites.
There have been several scandals involving unethical online operators who offered unlicensed gaming products to unknowing consumers. Most famously, Victorian player John Edwards lost A$1 million after being duped into buying a worthless software package. This left him penniless and bankrupt. He later sued his former employer, Melbourne IT, for $10 million.
Today, Australian residents are able to play free online games such as slot machines, keno, and scratch cards. However, if you want to take part in live casinos or sportsbook wagering, you must be physically present to do so. As a result, thousands of Australians travel abroad every year to play online because it’s just easier than taking off work.
Is Online Gambling Legal in Australia?
At this point, online gambling in Australia is completely up to the individual business owner and is not officially regulated yet. But given the millions of dollars that are already flowing into the industry, it seems inevitable that regulators will eventually step in.
To put your mind out of suspense regarding the legality of online gambling, let me tell you: it’s perfectly okay for Australian citizens to bet their money online. You don’t need to worry about breaking any laws. If anything, you might find yourself in trouble with the tax department, though.
Top Australian Online Gambling Games
1. Online Pokies
Online gambling offers several different types of games. One of the most popular categories is pokie machines (also known as slots). These are available in both land-based venues and online. They come in various formats, including standard 3 reel pokies, video pokies, progressive jackpots, and bonus rounds.
2. Poker
There are also plenty of online poker sites where players compete against each other using virtual chips in real-time. While poker doesn’t require much skill, you still need the luck to turn the tables. The best strategy is simply to choose the opponent with whom you think you have the best chance of defeating. That is not an easy task!
3. Sports Betting
Online betting allows anyone to place bets on football matches, tennis tournaments, horse racing events, golf competitions, and a wide range of other sporting contests happening all over the world.
4. Roulette
If you like to try your hand at roulette, there are plenty of options available for you. Depending on the site, you can either place bets on black, red, or green numbers. The game usually takes place on a wheel with 37 pockets that spin around rapidly.