Australia has never been shy about its love affair with gambling. From the footy tipping comp to the slots at your local pub, wagering is practically woven into the nation’s cultural fabric. But when it comes to online casino gaming, Australia is dragging its heels.
Under the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001, it’s illegal for domestic companies to offer online casino games to Australians. But here’s the catch: players aren’t banned from accessing overseas platforms. The result? A murky legal loophole that funnels billions offshore and leaves players exposed to unregulated, and often predatory, operators.
Meanwhile, across the ditch, New Zealand is moving in a markedly different direction. The Kiwi government has committed to introducing a regulated online casino framework by 2026, its first major shake-up of gambling laws under the current National Party-led administration. The move signals a shift toward modernisation, transparency, and harm minimisation.
According to New Zealand’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Brooke van Velden, the new model will outlaw offshore sites from targeting Kiwi players without a licence. A limited number of online casino licences will be offered via auction, and operators will face strict requirements, including fencing off casino products from sports betting and lottery, and adhering to tight advertising rules. The goal? To prevent an increase in gambling while ensuring that operators contribute to tax revenue and meet high standards for consumer protection.
Popular online casinos in New Zealand have already voiced support for the initiative. SkyCity’s CEO even welcomed the cap on licence numbers and advertising, pointing to the millions currently lost offshore that could be reinvested into local communities through tax and responsible gaming programs.
Australia, in contrast, remains stuck in the past. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has been playing a reactive gam, blocking illegal sites and issuing warnings, but critics argue it’s not enough. As one gambling reform advocate recently noted, the nation is “far behind the global pack” when it comes to online regulation, with countries like Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands already implementing deposit limits, advertising bans, and robust oversight.
So, the big question: will Australia ever catch up?
There’s certainly momentum building. Advocacy groups, industry insiders, and even economists are increasingly vocal about the need for a smarter, safer system, one that acknowledges the reality of online gambling’s growth while protecting vulnerable players and reclaiming tax dollars.
Regulating the space wouldn’t mean encouraging more gambling. If anything, it could help reduce harm by holding operators accountable, limiting aggressive advertising, and giving players access to verified, legal platforms.
As New Zealand pushes forward with a licensing regime that balances personal freedom with public safety, Australia might want to take a closer look at its neighbour’s model. Because if we’re going to gamble, and let’s be honest, we are, we might as well do it the right way.