Guide to Online Gambling in Queensland

Thre are a number of land-based casinos in Queensland, but residents also have access to online casinos. This gives players plenty of options no matter where they live. Queensland has been home to brick-and-mortar casinos since the 1980s, but many players prefer to gamble online. In this article, we’ll dive into gambling laws in QLD, and the leaglity of online casinos.

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Queensland Online Gambling Laws

There is nothing in the state law that restricts residents from playing at internet-based casinos. This means that Queensland residents are free to enjoy real money online gambling. As in the rest of Australia, residents of Queensland must be 18 years or older to participate in any form of gambling.

That gambling is legal for residents doesn’t mean anyone is free to operate a casino out of Queensland. To do so, the operator has to obtain a gambling license. These licenses are only issued to land-based operations, and its not possible to obtain a license for operating an online casino. As such, there are no licensed online casinos operating in or from Queensland.

SOURCE(S):

  • Casino Control Act
  • Queensland Gambling Laws
  • Queensland Government – Department of Justice and Attorney-General

Casino Control Act 1982

The Casino Control Act 1982 is the gambling law QLD  that regulates casino operations in Queensland. This law stipulates all current rules in regards to licensing casinos or other other gambling entities. Among other areas the law covers, is the requirements any person or entity operating a casino must fulffill in order to be granted a gambling license. However, since the law came into affect in 1982, it does not cover online gambling.

The main objectives of the law, as stated in the Casino Control Act 1982:

  • Ensuring the integrity and fairness of games; and
  • ensuring the probity of those involved in the conduct of casino gambling; and
  • minimising the potential for harm from casino gambling.

The Casino Control Ammendment Act 1996 adds further stipulations to the gambling law. However, this amendment mainly focuses on payment methods a casino is allowed to accept. Again, online casinos has not been taken into account. Thus, the Queensland gambling law are only concerned with land-based casino operations.

Gaming Machine Act 1991

The he Gaming Machine Act 1991 is a law that dictates how a gaming machine, like a pokie machine, can an cannot function. The goal is to ensure that all gambling machines pay out as they should, and in other words that they are fair. You may have heard of the ‘Poker Machine Payout Laws QLD’ and what this refers to is the Gaming Machine Act 1991.

The Gaming Machine Act 1991 also provides for the issuing of gaming machine licences to clubs and hotels and for the licensing of:

  • gaming nominees
  • key employees
  • repairers
  • service contractors
  • gaming machine manufacturers
  • licensed monitoring operators.

Interactive Gambling (Player Protect) Act 1998

The Interactive Gaming (Player Protection) ACT 1998 is the law that dictates what a gambling operator can and cannot do. The objective of this law is to ensure that the State of Queensland and the community as a whole benefit from gambling activities.

Some of the key aspects the Interactive Gambling (Player Protect) Act 1998 covers is responsible gambling and taxation.

The main objectives of the law, as stated in the Interactive Gambling (Player Protect) Act 1998:

  • Ensuring the integrity and fairness of games; and
  • ensuring the probity of those involved in the conduct of interactive gambling; and
  • minimising the potential for harm from interactive gambling.
  • To establish and maintain an appropriate system of regulation and control for interactive gambling;
  • to provide protection for players of interactive games;
  • to provide a basis for implementing an inter-jurisdictional regulatory scheme for—
    • the reciprocal recognition between participating jurisdictions of licences, authorisations and other administrative acts; and
    • the regulation and control of interactive gambling in the participating jurisdictions on a cooperative basis; and
    • he sharing of tax derived from interactive gambling on an equitable basis.

Interactive Gambling Act 2001 – FEDERAL

The Federal Interactive Gambling Act, introduced in 2001, took a more countrywide approach and banned Aussie gaming sites from operating in Australia. As mentioned, and as applies to the other states, this hasn’t stopped overseas web-based casinos from taking bets from Queensland casino players and there is nothing in the law that stops them. Check out our full guide to learn more about legal online casinos in Australia.

However, in 2017 the government started clamping down on illegal online casinos targeting Australian players. There is a limit to what the state can do as long as the online casinos operate outside of the Australian jurisdiction. But, issuing hefty fines and IP or DNS blocking of the websites are among the weapons in the governments arsenal. As such, many offshore online casinos left the Australian market.

Queensland Online Gambling FAQs

Is online gambling legal in Queensland?

So long as you are 18 years or older, online gambling is legal in Queensland. You can play your favourite casino games for real money at online casinos. What is not legal is to operate casinos in Queensland without a license to do so. Offshore online casinos are not eligible to obtain a gambling license in the state.

Is it safe to gamble online in Queensland?

Yes, if you visit a reputable Australian online casino site like the ones we recommend near the top of this page. The Queensland casinos recommended by our team of experts are licensed and regulated by independent third-party authorities. They all use SSL encryption software to protect your personal and financial information (like passwords and payment information).

Can you win real money at casino sites in Queensland?

Yes, the casinos in Queensland we recommend lets you win real money as long as you play for real money. If you’ve claimed a casino bonus or any other promotion at the casino, you need to convert the bonus money to real money before you can withdraw real money.

How old do you have to be to gamble in Queensland Australia?

You must be 18 years or older to gamble online in Queensland. This same age limit is applicable to all states and territories in Australia. This is regardless of if you gamble online or at a land-based Queensland casino.

How do your Queensland casino reviews work?

When we test casinos, all Australian online casinos are graded on a 5-point scale. Our top-rated Queensland casinos have all earned high marks after a thorough review of their sites. Security and safety, welcome bonuses and rewards, banking options, game variations, mobile gaming compatibility, software quality, and access to customer support are some of the aspects we look into.

Maddison Dwyer

Senior Writer & Queen of Cards

Maddison, a graduate from the University of Queensland with a degree in journalism, has turned her sharp analytical skills towards the casino world. Specializing in blackjack and roulette and more, she guides enthusiasts through the complexities of gambling strategies.

Her background in ethical storytelling enriches her approach, making her insights into casino gaming both trustworthy and engaging.

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