The Interactive Gambling Act (IGA)
The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) is the primary piece of federal legislation governing online gambling in Australia. Originally enacted to regulate the emerging online gambling industry, the IGA was significantly amended in 2017 to strengthen protections for Australian consumers and close loopholes that had allowed certain offshore operators to target Australian players.
Under the IGA, it is prohibited for operators to offer real-money online casino games, including pokies, to customers physically located in Australia. However, the legislation targets the providers of these services rather than individual players. The sites reviewed on this website operate from offshore jurisdictions where they hold valid licences, and Australian players are not penalised for accessing them.
The Role of ACMA
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is the federal regulator responsible for enforcing the Interactive Gambling Act. ACMA has the power to investigate complaints, issue formal warnings to operators and request that internet service providers block access to illegal gambling websites operating in breach of Australian law.
Since 2019, ACMA has been actively using its website-blocking powers to restrict access to unlicensed and non-compliant gambling sites. The authority works with international regulators and payment processors to disrupt illegal operations and protect Australian consumers from unregulated gambling platforms. ACMA maintains a public register of blocked sites, which is updated regularly as enforcement actions are taken.
Our Compliance Position
Online Pokies Australia is an informational and review website. We do not operate a casino, accept bets or process payments of any kind. Our role is to provide independent reviews, guides and educational content to help Australian players make informed decisions about the online pokies sites available to them.
We monitor the regulatory landscape closely and update our content to reflect changes in legislation, ACMA enforcement actions and industry developments. While we link to third-party casino sites as part of our reviews, we encourage all readers to familiarise themselves with the laws applicable in their jurisdiction and to gamble responsibly at all times. Browse our top-rated pokies sites — all hold valid international licences.