Gambling has always been popular in Australia, more so than in any other country of the Western world. In the past, Australian governments, as opposed to their colleagues in other countries, have actively encouraged all kinds of legal gambling. It is said that Australians gamble on everything and anything.
It has been reported that there was extensive betting on Victorian football matches in Australia before the First World War and that bookmakers were walking up and down in front of the grandstand giving odds on the game.
Historian David Kynaston stated that when cricket became popular in Australia, the "underlying purpose was as a vehicle for betting".
Horse racing and the betting on horses has always been popular too and despite policing and alterations to the gaming legislation, illegal off-course betting and illegal casino games were reported until at least the 1960s.
There are many brick and mortar casinos in Australia that are operating legally in line with the Casino Control Act of 2006 and new ones are being applied for all the time. Australian land-based casinos are particularly interested in attracting foreign gamblers, especially affluent Chinese gamblers. These legal Australian casinos are allowed to offer most casino games to their punters, including all of the popular table games like roulette, blackjack and baccarat. Pokies belong to the most popular games of chance in Australia and punters can find many of these in Australian casinos.
Many Australians and visitors to the country are not sure if online gambling is legal in Australia. The Interactive Gambling Act of 2001 seems to be the stumbling block for many and online gamblers are concerned about being prosecuted for illegal gambling.
Don't worry! The IGA of 2001 does not affect ordinary online gamblers. The Howard-Government passed this act in 2001 in order to protect the ever-growing number online players from gambling addiction. The law prohibits Australian casino operators from offering their services to the Australian public online or to advertise online gambling.
So what do Australian punters do? Online sports betting and lotteries have never been prohibited as part of the IGA and with regard to casino games and virtual pokies, Australians play on legal international casinos sites like the ones we are introducing to you on this website. Here they can enjoy classic casino games or pokies with or without progressive jackpots. Strictly speaking, the international operators are the ones in breach of Australian gambling laws, but so far the Australian government has made no proper attempt to try and prevent Australian gamblers from using these sites.
Our casino experts check out all the latest online casinos and put them through a series of rigorous tests. On this site, we introduce only the best online casinos that cater for Australian gamblers. All these casinos are legal, fair and regulated and have their jurisdiction outside of Australia. They offer a large variety of quality casino games and pokies with the latest software, some of which have progressive jackpots. Playing in these casinos is safe and fun and there are various encrypted payment options for Australian players. Once you make your first deposit, the casino of your choice will offer you a free bonus to welcome you on board.
Enjoy your game!