As we know, gambling is highly regulated in Australia and that means that a number of popular global casino operators have elected not to trade here. The Interactive Gambling Act of 2001 means that anyone wanting to provide online casino facilities in the country has to obtain a license from and pay tax to the Australian government and some have decided that it’s not an option to pursue.
Deposit Methods in AUD
One of the first things to look for is ease of use and the ability to play in Australian Dollars will make things a whole lot simpler for all of us. When taking up any bonus deals or simply calculating any profits and losses, it’s important to have AUD as a funding option so you don’t have to convert in your head all the time.
Quick payouts are also important and the Aussie Dollar facility will undoubtedly speed this process up. Look out, therefore, for an operator that transacts in AUD and is transparent about how long your withdrawals will take.
Banking Options for Australian Players
Check, before you sign up with any operator, that they offer at least one payment facility that you have access to. All online casinos should provide debit and credit cards as a minimum but beyond that, there should be at least two eWallets to back this up.
Skrill and Neteller are the two main eWallets in question but other providers could include POLi, Trustly and PaySafeCard amongst others so, if you have a favourite, check to see if it is on the list of deposit and withdrawal options.
Best Bonuses
The vast majority of online casinos will have some form of welcome bonus to entice new customers into signing up while ongoing deals help you stick around. These will typically come as a match on your first deposit and they can be very generous indeed with hundreds, and sometimes thousands of dollars at stake.
As with all online offers, you should check all the terms and conditions to make sure there isn’t a catch and that you really are getting a good deal so what are the aspects that you should look out for when taking advantage of any casino promotion?
Wagering Requirements
Most, if not all offers at a specific casino will come with a wagering requirement, often referred to as a rollover. This means you have to wager the amount of your deposit and bonus combined a certain number of times before you can claim any subsequent profits.
The obvious point to look for here is the number of times you have to do this but also check to see if there is a time limit. These points differ from casino to casino but only you can decide whether or not they are acceptable to you.
Availability in AUD
When you have a bonus laid out in front of you it is so much easier to understand if you are able to access it in your own currency. There is no need to convert it and no chance that you will lose out due to an unfair exchange rate.
It isn’t necessarily imperative that this happens all the time and some players will be OK with an operator who provides access for the Aussie market but will perhaps trade in USD, but most players prefer their own currency as it makes it much easier to calculate whether or not you are getting value for money.
Safe and Fair Gaming:
Is Gambling Legal in Australia?
It is legal to gamble on real money games in Australia providing the operator that you use carries a licence that enables them to work and trade here. That license is provided by the government in return for strict adherence to certain rules while paying tax liabilities in this country.
It is important that you only play with a licensed provider as, if you somehow access an operator who isn’t authorised to trade here then there will be no recourse if you feel you are treated unfairly.
What makes a Casino Legal?
A casino is considered legal if it has met with all requirements laid down by the Australian government in the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001. This is a lengthy and intricate document which is free to view in its entirety but essentially, the operators in question have to abide by this legislation.
They then become legal by following this and obtaining a licence to accept customers who are resident in Australia so, if you are looking for a new provider, that licence is your assurance of their confirmed legality.
Gambling Problems
The Australian Government takes the issue of problem gambling very seriously indeed and it has set up its own support website at problemgambling.gov.au. This is wholly run by the department of social services and there are other organisations too, both charities and privately funded operations so there is no shortage of outlets for anyone who feels they need help.
Above all, the government seeks to protect its citizens from issues such as these and that’s why legislation as a whole is so tough for an operator to negotiate so, there is always assistance whenever it is needed.
Top 3 Casinos for Australian Customers
Guts.com
Guts meets all the requirements that we’ve suggested make an operator a popular one with the Australian betting community. There is a welcome bonus which may be a modest one at a ceiling of 100 AUD but there are reloads too with other ongoing deals for the life of your account.
And, you can play with your local currency and this should be a huge benefit. Guts also has a great choice of slots, card and table games and there is a live casino too if you want to get close to the true Vegas Experience.
Spinit.com
Spinit are one of the newer names in the market but this is one casino that focuses very heavily on some of the more restricted areas of the globe and that includes Australia. While it may not have longevity on its side, one of the more obvious attractions is a higher set of bonuses including a welcome deal which can net up to 1000 AUD at the top end of the scale.
Once again, the ability to trade in local currency and a good choice of games are among the other reasons why Spinit is so popular.
Casino.com
The simply named casino.com has attracted a lot of customers simply by featuring highly among the search engines but there is more substance to back that up. The welcome deal is healthy enough at 400 AUD and you can also find one of the bigger ranges of ongoing promos and reload bonuses from around the web.
A big choice of payment providers is another good reason to get on board here and again, you can play in the local currency and take advantage of a big choice of games, some of which can be found at a very active live casino.
FAQs
Do I have to pay tax on my winnings?
Australian citizens do not have to pay tax on any profit they make at an online casino because these returns are seen as mere luck rather than earnings from an actual profession. For that reason, the government levies the tax at the operator rather than the player so it collects its income in that way.
Additionally, it’s felt that any profit that an individual makes from the casino is always going to be balanced by losses elsewhere so it evens itself out over time.
How old do I have to be to play at an online casino?
Australian citizens must be 18 years of age or older before they can take part in any form of gambling online and there are ways in which the operator should adhere to this. When you sign up with a new casino, you should be asked for some form of ID such as a Passport or driving license to verify your age.
Any operator not complying with this legislation faces stiff penalties so it is in their interests to make sure they are only dealing with customers of legal age in Australia.
Is it legal to play at an online casino in Australia?
Just to confirm once again, it is perfectly legal to play online for residents in Australia at a registered online casino. As long as you are of the legal gambling age you can sign up with an online provider but we would like to confirm the importance of finding an outlet that is licensed to trade here.
Operators have to go through rigorous steps to ensure they comply with the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001 and that act is here to provide protection for its players, so choose wisely.