Australia is a gambling center that attracts gamers from the entire southern region and beyond. It is a vibrant place with over 10 land-based casinos and thousands of online casinos that can offer great services to its residents. A source suggests that Australia has the largest population of gamblers. It states that 80% of the population engages in at least one form of gambling every year. This is a significant number that beats some countries that have more land-based casinos.
The focus seems to be rapidly shifting to the online side of gambling. This move has further been hastened by the COVID-19 pandemic that has ravaged the brick-and-mortar casinos with closures and guidelines like social distancing. The Australians are also riding on this wave and enjoying their games from the comfort of their homes, offices, cars and more. Why gamble online?
Online gambling offers the ultimate gaming convenience. All you need to do is to find a legal casino, sign up, deposit cash, and play. It is possible to play whenever and wherever you want, thus reducing the stress of moving to an actual casino or dressing up for it. This has also made gambling a private affair. Since you play straight from your PC or smartphone, no one will ever know that you are a gambler unless you tell them. This has encouraged the shy closet gamblers to enjoy their favorite games with ease.
Also, online gambling is cheaper since there are no hidden costs like transport, food and others. Beginners will also prefer it because they get to play away from the prying eyes of the macho expert gamblers. It offers the perfect platform to learn these games and have fun. To make the deal even more enticing, online sites also offer free games that punters can use to practice before they proceed to make real money bets.
Online Gambling Laws in Australia
Is online gambling legal in Australia? Despite its growing popularity, online gambling is not entirely legal in this jurisdiction. The states of this country have the liberty to set their gambling laws, however, the online industry remains a federal issue. It is regulated by the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001 that prevents betting companies from advertising, marketing or offering real money gambling services to the residents of this country.
It was further complemented by a 2017 amendment that states that offshore companies should apply for a license to operate. It also illegalized live betting. These laws show that the skepticism surrounding online gambling and gambling as a whole that was displayed in various nations worldwide was also present in Australia.
The history of gambling in this country dates back to the 1700s when the first settlers arrived. The dawn of online gambling in the 1990s presented a bigger challenge for legislators since it is much harder to regulate. This was the reason behind the Interactive Gambling Act and its subsequent amendment.
Politicians have also contemplated illegalizing the trade at its most fundamental point, the money stage. The Americans, through the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), made it illegal for financial institutions to facilitate transactions with these casinos. It is one of the most successful laws since most of these institutions desisted because of the potential repercussions. However, Australians have been lucky since the attempts to enact such a law have not worked yet.
The Australian law leaves a grey area that has been exploited by gamblers. The law prohibits the operator from offering any gambling services but it doesn’t make it illegal for the players to access the services. This complicates the question of whether online gambling is legal or not. It means that the answer depends on who is asking.
Australians have been able to sign up in online casinos, deposit cash and play conveniently from the comfort of their homes. The enforcement of the restrictions has been difficult for the government, so the offshore casinos have continued to operate without any serious hurdles. Therefore, there is little to worry about if you are a gambling enthusiast in this country; nothing can effectively curtail your joy.
How to Choose the Ideal Casino
Several online casinos offer gambling services to Australians. However, for the best experience, you must choose the best. What are the factors to consider?
- Game Variety
- Customer Service
- Payment Options
- Withdrawal Times
- Licensing Info
- Security & Fairness
- Bonuses & Promos
You should check casino reviews and perhaps visit the casino to determine that each of these factors is perfect. The casino should offer an extensive variety of games from the biggest software providers. You may need to be keener if you are a lover of live dealer games since they are only available in renowned casinos.
The customer service must also be efficient. It should have professional customer care agents who are available around the clock. The casino should support your language of choice to make it easy to interact with the customer care agents and the site itself. Critical info about the casino should also be available on the website and FAQ section.
The payment methods are very fundamental. Most residents of Australia prefer to deposit and withdraw cash through e-wallets like PayPal and credit/debit cards like Visa and MasterCard. You should ensure that your casino of choice supports a convenient method. The deposits are usually instant but the withdrawals take time. It is vital to check them to ascertain that the casino takes a reasonable amount of time.
The casino should also hold valid licenses from respectable bodies. The casino may not have an Australian license, but it should have other licenses from bodies like UKGC and MGA. Security and fairness should also be guaranteed. Playing in it should not threaten any aspect of your life. Finally, once all the factors are perfect, you should choose the casino with the best bonuses. Keen consideration of all these factors will lead you to a worthwhile casino.
Australia is home to a huge population of enthusiastic online gamblers. The law may prohibit casinos from operating in this jurisdiction but it has not made it illegal for gamers to play. Hence, Australians can find a fantastic casino, sign up, and play. The guidelines above will certainly lead to the best casinos.
