Central Consumer Protection Authority issues guidelines on betting and gambling endorsements

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The Independent Panel on Gaming Reform delivered its Roadmap for Gaming Reform to the government in November 2024, recommending the implementation of a mandatory, statewide, account-based system by 2028. These audits are typically detailed and resource-intensive, requiring operators to provide extensive records and substantiate their tax calculations. While the exact calculation requirements vary across jurisdictions, “net wagering revenue” is generally understood as the total value of bets received minus the total amount paid out in winnings.
Affiliate services and white-label operators are likely to require approval by the NTRWC to provide services to bookmakers and/or betting exchanges licensed in the Northern Territory (see 6.3 Affiliates and 6.4 White Labels). The application process is likely to also require that fingerprinting be provided for the purposes of conducting background checks and providing police certificates. A personal licence is required in the Northern Territory for individuals that are deemed key individuals in relation to the online sports bookmaker licence. A personal licence may be required at the state and territory level, for example in respect of gambling operators/venues that are in the land-based market (eg, gaming machine technician licences). In NSW, for example, a one-off payment of AUD256 million was paid in 1995 for a 12-year exclusivity period for a casino licence, and a further AUD100 million was paid in 2007 for a 12-year extension of the exclusivity period.
The amendments were introduced in February 2025 following the findings and recommendations of the Perth Casino Royal Commission, which was conducted in 2022. The Western mobile pokies australia government introduced amendments to its gambling laws to increase the enforcement powers of the gambling regulator upon Crown and operators who fail to comply with gambling laws and directions issued by the gambling regulator. As part of the review, a public consultation process was conducted between December 2024 and April 2025.
A casino licence permits the relevant casino to typically offer traditional table games and gaming machines. For completeness, it is worth noting that, to a lesser extent, local government bodies in most states and territories also regulate gambling from a local government and town planning perspective, but typically only as it relates to gaming machines and their operation within the relevant municipal district. The firm combines its deep understanding of the local business landscape with experience across multiple jurisdictions, enabling clients to navigate complex legal environments effectively.
With the exception of virtual/simulated racing (which is generally only offered in retail venues including hotels and clubs), this betting is generally offered at racecourses, retail venues, online and by telephone. Casino licences provide that casinos are only permitted to offer casino games and gaming machines to patrons present within the casino. Gaming machine and other equipment manufacturers, software developers and technical services suppliers selling products and/or services used for gambling-related activities typically have perpetual licences, which are often administrative in nature and remain on issue, subject to the payment of periodic fees.
By doing this, the definitions are intended to apply to a broader range of payment systems such as stored-value facilities, digital wallets, stablecoins, etc, which are not currently subject to the PSRA. These now include an obligation to ensure that AML/CFT policies are established and incorporated into the AML/CFT programme itself, to provide guidance and certainty to staff charged with implementation. Internet gambling licence holders commonly operate “foreign matched lottery” arrangements under these licences, although the amendment applies to operators offering their own online games or lotteries, as well as those engaged in lottery ticket reselling or matching. The Victorian regulator continues its close and active oversight of Crown Melbourne through the Transformation Plan, which will be central to the regulator’s next review of Crown Melbourne’s suitability in the next Casino Review, to be conducted in 2027.
State and territory laws often also contain a range of offences in relation to unlawful gambling, which can include organising the unlawful event, as well as participating in it. The use of digital currencies (including cryptocurrency) for gambling purposes is not common in the jurisdiction and, in the case of online wagering and betting, was expressly prohibited following amendments to the Interactive Gambling Act in 2024. Failure to comply with the AML/CTF Act, including by not maintaining a compliant AML/CTF Program, and not filing TTRs and/or SMRs (or filing them late), can result in large civil penalties and possible criminal exposure. Separately, the CCA imposes penalties for, amongst other things, misleading and deceptive conduct (including through advertising). The Victorian regulator subsequently announced in March 2024 that it was satisfied that Crown Melbourne was suitable to operate the casino and that it was in the public interest for the casino licence to remain in force. In the case of lotteries, aside from Tas (which operates under renewable five-year permits linked to Victorian and Queensland licences) and WA (where lotteries are owned and operated by the state), the expiry dates are generally shorter than in relation to Retail Wagering; however, they still range between 2024 and 2072.
Hotels and clubs are permitted to provide approved gaming machines in the licensed premises. On-course Bookmakers offer substantially the same fixed-odds betting on-course and, subject to approval, also over the telephone and in some instances online. The Vic licence includes not only wagering and betting but also the right to conduct a betting exchange.