Licensing and safety: frequently asked questions
A bookmaker's licence record is a legal permission noted in the ACMA register, not a quality mark. This page answers twelve common licensing and safety questions in short form, each with its source and a link to the longer explanation. Facts come from ACMA, BetStop, Gambling Help Online and the licensing bodies of the states and territories, dated 13 November 2026.
How to use this page
Every answer follows one pattern: the fact, the document behind it, and the page on this site that explains it in full. Six answers sit in the question list under this text. Six more follow below.
Where an answer rests on the preparation reference dated 6 November 2026, it says so. That reference has not yet been re-read against the live ACMA pages.
This is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Where our sources leave a point open, the answer says it is open.
Bottom line: one fact, one source and one longer page for every answer.
Is an offshore betting site legal in Australia?
Online wagering is lawful only with a licence from a state or territory authority. ACMA enforces the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, keeps the register and blocks illegal services.
This site names no illegal service and links to none. In its release of 22 October 2026, ACMA treats hyperlinks to such services as helping people reach them.
To report an illegal service, use the ACMA complaint form. The longer answer is on Offshore betting sites: why they are illegal and how ACMA blocks them.
Is online in-play betting allowed?
No. Online in-play wagering on sport is prohibited. The one exception is a purely voice phone bet (sections 8AA and 5(3)(a) of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, as given in the country reference).
The explanation is on Why online in-play sports betting is banned, and what is still allowed.
Can I fund a bet with a credit card or crypto?
No. Since 11 June 2024, credit cards, credit-based wallets and cryptocurrency cannot be used for online or phone wagering.
The Department of Infrastructure lists a consultation on reviewing the credit card ban, open from 29 October to 27 November 2026. We have not read its issues paper. The rule itself is set out on What the 11 June 2024 ban on credit cards and crypto covers.
Do the list sites' counts match the register?
Three list sites each claim a different number of legal bookmakers: 143, 280 and 290 or more. The country reference counts 214 records in the ACMA register on 6 November 2026, 66 of them without a URL.
A record is not the same thing as a distinct operator, so the figures do not compare one to one. The working is on How many records does the ACMA register list, and who licensed them?.
Can a licensed bookmaker still be penalised?
Yes. ACMA announced measures involving licensed operators in 2026. Tabcorp paid A$158,400 on 12 February 2026, and Dabble Sports paid A$1,069,200 on 16 September 2026.
Each measure, with its release, is listed on What has ACMA done about licensed bookmakers this year?. A measure is a record of what ACMA announced, not a verdict on an operator.
How old do I have to be?
You must be 18. Gambling Help Online states that gambling is unlawful for anyone under 18.
An operator must refund the deposit and close the account once it establishes that a customer is under 18 (National Consumer Protection Framework statement, as summarised in the country reference). How operators describe ID checks is on What identity checks do bookmakers ask for, and why?.
Sources
- ACMA, Check if a gambling operator is legal, the register of licensed interactive gambling providers.
- ABN Lookup, abr.business.gov.au.
- BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register, betstop.gov.au.
- Gambling Help Online, gamblinghelponline.org.au.
- Interactive Gambling Act 2001, compilation on legislation.gov.au.
- Country reference for Australia, dated 6 November 2026, internal to this project.
18+ and where to get help
18+ only. Gambling can be harmful. Need help? Call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 (free, 24/7) or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. To exclude yourself from licensed Australian online and phone wagering providers, register with BetStop at betstop.gov.au.
We are not a bookmaker and do not take bets.
FAQ
What is an entry in the ACMA register?
A row in the ACMA register of licensed interactive gambling providers. It gives four fields: Trading name, Licence holder, URL and Licensing authority. The register can be downloaded as CSV or JSON. A brand and domain in the same row is the evidence this site uses for check C01.
Does a licence mean a bookmaker is safe?
No. A licence is permission granted by a state or territory authority. It is not a quality rating, and this site does not treat it as one. ACMA announced measures involving licensed operators in 2026, so a register entry and an enforcement record can both exist for the same brand.
Who issues Australian bookmaker licences?
State and territory authorities, not ACMA. The register snapshot lists Liquor & Gaming NSW, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission and the Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission, among others. ACMA runs the register and enforces the federal Act.
How do I check that a bookmaker is licensed?
Find the brand and its exact domain in the URL column of the register. Match the licence holder in ABN Lookup, note the licensing authority, and check the domain is not on ACMA's blocked list. Record the date, because the register changes.
What does BetStop cover?
BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register, covers licensed online and phone wagering providers. It does not cover online casinos or illegal services. Registration runs from three months to life. The register opened on 21 August 2023.
Where can I get help now?
Call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858: free, anonymous and open 24/7. For help registering with BetStop, call 1800 238 786 or visit betstop.gov.au.