Australia

In a nutshell, online and in-person sports gambling are entirely legal in Australia as long as the bookmaker operates with a proper license issued by any territorial regulator. So, sports gambling involving, for example, parlays, straight bets, futures, and teasers is perfectly legal in the country. Aussies can also freely participate in online wagering on horse races and eSports.

However, Australia's sports gambling law prohibits in-play sports betting, a popular wagering niche in several other countries, which could generate more revenue for Australia. Interestingly, this in-game betting is only allowed via phone calls but is deemed illegal online.

Aussies have also legally participated in daily fantasy sports for many years, and many of the most popular DFS brands, like DraftKings, are currently operating in the Australian market.

From Emu Racing to Lawn Mower Wars: Australia’s Secret Sporting Showdowns"

While mainstream sports like AFL and rugby dominate betting in Australia, a hidden world of underground rivalries offers thrilling alternatives for bettors and sports enthusiasts. These unconventional competitions, often rooted in local traditions, bring intense matchups and unpredictable outcomes.

• Lawn mower racing turns old machines into high-speed racers, with rural communities fostering fierce rivalries.

• Rock paper scissors tournaments elevate a childhood game into a strategic battle of psychology, attracting gamblers who rely on patterns and probability.

• Emu racing, a chaotic spectacle in outback Australia, keeps bettors guessing as the unpredictable birds dash toward the finish line.

• Bush rugby, a raw and unregulated version of traditional rugby, thrives in rural areas with intense territorial pride fueling the competition.

These underground sports offer a fresh betting frontier—full of passion, unpredictability, and high-stakes excitement for those willing to explore beyond the mainstream.

Recent updates from the Australian sports betting & gambling scene

• March 5, 2025: A report by Equity Economics, the Alliance for Gambling Reform, and Wesley Mission states that gambling is draining Australian household budgets, with average annual losses per adult reaching AUD 1,527 ($960) in 2022/23. Losses continue to rise alongside living costs and wage declines.

• March 3, 2025: The AFL admits gaps in its integrity framework, struggling to track betting-related misconduct among players and staff. With 80+ bookmakers offering AFL wagers, limited access to betting data raises concerns, especially after cases like an umpire leaking game info to bettors.

• February 13, 2025: Australian lawmakers advocate for new legislation to increase transparency in online gambling. The proposed law, led by Independent MP Rebekha Sharkie, would require betting apps and platforms to display real-time loss tracking for users. The goal is to help problem gamblers recognize their losses and reduce harmful betting behavior.

• February 11, 2025: Paramount+ faces scrutiny from Australian regulators after airing offshore gambling ads for 8Xbet, an already banned betting operator in the country, during an A-League match. The company blames a third-party supplier and vows to prevent future breaches.

• February 5, 2025: Online sportsbook operator BlueBet acquires TopSport for AU$10M ($6.27M), gaining its brand, IP, and customer base. This move strengthens BlueBet’s Australian presence after its U.S. market exit in August 2024.

• January 21, 2025: Sportsbet, owned by Flutter Entertainment, faces a class action lawsuit over alleged illegal in-play betting. Maurice Blackburn filed the suit, seeking to recover millions lost through the “Fast Code” service, which allegedly bypassed Australia’s live betting laws from 2018 to 2024.

• January 20, 2025: A University of Queensland study shows betting is rising among Australian women. While men still make up 90% of regular bettors, new data suggests the gender gap is narrowing.

None of the licensed Australian gambling operators can offer online casino and poker games to their customers, as the Gambling Act forbids operators from offering these gambling services to AU citizens. In brief, the Australian government permits the following gambling activities under relevant licenses.

• Lotteries (both online and in-venue)

• Sports betting (online and in-person)

  • Includes horse racing, greyhound racing, harness racing, and eSports betting

• Pokies, slot, and table gaming (in-person only)

• Betting on fantasy sports

• Bingo (online and in-person)

Luck, Tradition, and Community: The Cultural Role of Gambling in Aboriginal Australia

Aboriginal Australians have engaged in gambling activities for centuries, with traditional games of chance playing a role in social and cultural life. These games often involved skill, strategy, and luck, reinforcing community bonds and serving as a form of entertainment. With the arrival of European settlers, new forms of gambling, such as card games and betting, were introduced and quickly integrated into Aboriginal communities.

For many Indigenous Australians, gambling has remained an important social activity, fostering connection and communal interaction. Card games, in particular, are deeply embedded in Aboriginal culture, played at gatherings, celebrations, and family events. These games provide a way to pass down traditions, share stories, and strengthen relationships across generations.

Despite challenges associated with excessive gambling, many Aboriginal people view it as a positive aspect of their culture when approached responsibly. Encouraging responsible gambling practices within communities ensures that it remains a source of enjoyment, social cohesion, and cultural expression. By embracing traditional values of sharing and moderation, Aboriginal Australians continue to integrate gambling into their social fabric in a way that aligns with their cultural identity.