Online Pokies in Australia
We have already noted that pokie machines first became legal all registered clubs in Australia in NSW in 1956. The other states followed, for the most part, legalizing state run Lotteries to begin with, later on with varying levels of legally astringent guidelines for gaming machines. The IGA 2001 acts over and above state legislation to prohibit online gambling. The following is a brief listing of the legislative acts in force with regards to pokies around the varying states of Australia; • Australian Capital Territory – Lotteries, lotto and pokie machines were introduced around 1976 / 77 Australian Capitol Territory - the Bookmakers Act of 1985 is passed, under which the state later authorizes itself to issue licenses to internet gambling companies • Northern Territory – Pokie machines became legalized and regulated around 1991. The Gaming Control (Internet Gaming) Regulations 1998 (NT) provided for the requirement of licences for providers of online gaming in an attempt to protect players. In 1999 the Northern Territory Government sanctioned and licensed the country’s first internet casino. Lasseter's then went online. In addition a number of new free online pokies become available to players for the first time. For examples try http://www.free-pokies.Info/ • New South Wales – Gaming becomes legal in registered clubs in 1956. The slackening of the laws in NSW during the 1990s allowed clubs and hotels to hold licences for gaming machines; in 1990/1 the industry was worth AUS$14.52 billion and by 1998/9 it had quadrupled to just over AUS$66 million! Sports’ betting on the internet is allowed according to the rules of the Racing Administrative Act 1998. • Queensland – Gaming machines were brought in around 1991/92. Queensland's Interactive Gambling (Player Protection) Act 1998 doesn’t ban online gaming, but attempts to implement checks and balances to regulate the industry by insisting that the providers of the service are licenced and regularly audited and that players names be added to a list whereby they can be banned if it looks like they are problem gamblers. Pokie machines in pubs and clubs must provide a return rate of 85%, whilst pokie machines in casinos have to provide a return rate of 90%. http://www.olgr.qld.gov.au/responsibleGambling/index.shtml • South Australia – Gaming machines allowed in clubs and hotels in 1994 / 95. • Tasmania – Gaming machines legalized in 1996 / 97. Gaming Control Act 1993 sets out the legislative framework for licencing and regulation of gambling. It was amended in December 1999 to include online gambling, where it would licence several types of online gaming including fixed-odds wagering, simulated games, lotteries and sports betting. On November 24, 2005, the act was further amended to allow betting exchanges to operate. • Victoria – Gaming machines were brought into the state in 1991. The Casino Control Act 1991, Gaming Machine Control Act 1991 and the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 (in place for all Australian states) all set out the guidelines for gambling in the state of Victoria. • Western Australia - Gaming machines such as pokies are only legal in the casino. Western Australia has one solitary casino which is in the Burswood Entertainment Complex. The WA Government collects the smallest Gaming Tax Revenue out of all the state governments because of this. More information on Australian state legislation on gambling can be found at http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd0001/01BD166 Disclaimer: we are not a legal authority. In no way should the information presented here be regarded as formal legal advice. All of the information given on these pages has been taken from several assorted news releases and articles and its accuracy is not guaranteed. For more accurate and formal information considering the legality of online gambling, consult the specific laws of the area in which you reside or jurisdiction in which you are playing.