How legislation changed from 2020 to 2025
The gambling industry in Australia is one of the most highly regulated in the world. From 2020 to 2025, legislation in this area has changed significantly: control over offshore operators has been strengthened, new mechanisms for protecting players have been introduced, and advertising requirements have been tightened.
This period marked a turning point in the transformation of the country's gambling industry. Below, consider the major changes adopted from 2020 to 2025 and their impact on the market.
General vector of changes
As of 2020, the Australian government has embarked on:
These goals were reflected in a series of specific measures and regulations.
1. ACMA Empowerment (2020-2023)
ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) has received more opportunities to counter illegal online gambling:
2. Amendments to the Interactive Gambling Act (2021-2024)
Significant changes affected the IGA law, adopted back in 2001:
3. Tough measures to limit advertising (2022-2025)
Great attention was paid to advertising gambling, especially on the Internet, on TV and in mobile applications:
4. Development of Responsible Play Systems (2021-2025)
In response to the increase in the number of cases of gaming addiction, new technologies were introduced:
5. Checks and scandals with large casinos (2021-2024)
During these years, public investigations and audits of the largest operators took place:
6. Impact on online poker
Since 2020, all forms of online therapy have been recognized as prohibited interactive games (if the operator does not have a license).
Attempts to lobby for the creation of licenses for poker rooms were unsuccessful, and in 2025 online poker remains outside the legal field, despite the growing popularity among players.
Change Results by 2025
Key results of reforms 2020-2025:
Conclusion
From 2020 to 2025, Australia has gone from formal regulation to a rigorous and sophisticated gambling control system.
Tightening legislation, blocking sites, advertising restrictions and the development of protection programs have made the market more transparent, but also more closed to illegal operators.
It is important for players to understand these changes in order to select only licensed operators, avoid gray schemes and use the available protection tools.
This period marked a turning point in the transformation of the country's gambling industry. Below, consider the major changes adopted from 2020 to 2025 and their impact on the market.
General vector of changes
As of 2020, the Australian government has embarked on:
- protecting vulnerable categories of citizens from gambling addiction;
- restricting access to illegal online operators;
- fighting off-shore casinos without a license;
- increased control over gambling advertising;
- development of responsible play tools.
These goals were reflected in a series of specific measures and regulations.
1. ACMA Empowerment (2020-2023)
ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) has received more opportunities to counter illegal online gambling:
- Since 2020, ACMA has begun actively blocking offshore sites offering casinos and poker to Australian players without a license.
- A DNS blocking procedure has been introduced - Internet providers are obliged to restrict access to sites at the request of ACMA.
- By 2025, more than 800 sites were blacklisted, including major offshore brands.
2. Amendments to the Interactive Gambling Act (2021-2024)
Significant changes affected the IGA law, adopted back in 2001:
- The definition of "prohibited interactive games" has been clarified, including online casinos, bingo, poker.
- Fines have been established for intermediaries (affiliates) promoting illegal sites.
- Added provisions regarding international cooperation with regulators of other countries.
3. Tough measures to limit advertising (2022-2025)
Great attention was paid to advertising gambling, especially on the Internet, on TV and in mobile applications:
- Since 2022, advertising of bets and casinos during sports broadcasts is prohibited (especially during the day and during "children's hours").
- Strengthened control over social networks and influencers advertising gambling without labeling.
- Fines have been introduced for media and platforms that advertise operators without a license.
- Mandatory marking: "18 +, the game is addictive" - on all advertising media.
4. Development of Responsible Play Systems (2021-2025)
In response to the increase in the number of cases of gaming addiction, new technologies were introduced:
- Pre-commitment systems - the player sets time and money limits in advance.
- The National Self-Exclusion Database (BetStop) - from 2023, allows you to block access to all licensed online operators.
- Requirements for offline establishments have been tightened - mandatory distribution of information materials, personnel training.
5. Checks and scandals with large casinos (2021-2024)
During these years, public investigations and audits of the largest operators took place:
- In 2021-2022 Crown Resorts was at the center of a scandal on charges of money laundering and cooperation with organized crime.
- Following this, an audit of Star Entertainment was launched, which revealed serious violations in the field of AML and KYC.
- The result: restrictions on licenses were introduced, the management of companies was forced to leave, regulators strengthened control throughout the country.
6. Impact on online poker
Since 2020, all forms of online therapy have been recognized as prohibited interactive games (if the operator does not have a license).
Attempts to lobby for the creation of licenses for poker rooms were unsuccessful, and in 2025 online poker remains outside the legal field, despite the growing popularity among players.
Change Results by 2025
Key results of reforms 2020-2025:
- Declining number of active offshore sites available from Australia.
- ⚠ Increase player awareness of risks.
- Strengthening state control over the entire industry.
- Increased operator requirements, especially for AML and data protection.
- Limiting gambling marketing, especially in children's and sports audiences.
Conclusion
From 2020 to 2025, Australia has gone from formal regulation to a rigorous and sophisticated gambling control system.
Tightening legislation, blocking sites, advertising restrictions and the development of protection programs have made the market more transparent, but also more closed to illegal operators.
It is important for players to understand these changes in order to select only licensed operators, avoid gray schemes and use the available protection tools.
