How does online sports betting work in Australia, and what do you need to start?
To bet online in Australia you need an account with a bookmaker that holds a licence from a state or territory authority, you must be 18 or older, and you must pass an identity check. You then fund the account by a method the operator allows and bet before the event starts. Online in-play betting and credit card funding are banned.
What you need to start
- A licensed operator. Search the brand and its exact domain in the ACMA register.
- Age 18 or older. Gambling is unlawful under 18, per Gambling Help Online.
- Identity verification. The national framework says winnings cannot be withdrawn before it is done.
- A way to pay. Debit cards and PayID are not covered by the credit ban, and PayID is run by Australian Payments Plus. Which operator accepts which is not confirmed here.
- A bet placed before the event begins.
Details: ID checks when you open an account and PayID and betting accounts.
Bottom line: a licence, age 18+, an identity check and an allowed payment method.
What is banned
Online in-play betting on sport is banned. The only exception in the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 is a bet placed by voice over the phone.
Since 11 June 2024, credit cards, credit-based wallets and crypto cannot be used for online or phone betting. A review of the credit card ban is open for consultation from 29 October to 27 November 2026.
Pages: online in-play betting ban and credit card and crypto ban.
Bottom line: in-play online and credit card funding are not allowed.
A worked example
The numbers are assumed. A stake of A$25 at decimal odds of 2.20 returns A$55.00 if it wins, which is A$25.00 stake plus A$30.00 profit.
If it loses, you lose the A$25.00. Illustrative example, not a price. Odds are explained in how to read decimal odds.
Bottom line: return is stake times odds; a loss costs the whole stake.
What happens after you register
Expect to verify your identity before you can withdraw. The national framework also expects the operator to offer you a deposit limit when you register.
A limit you set can be lowered at once, but under the framework an increase cannot take effect for at least 7 days. You can also ask the operator to close your account.
The framework text read for this page is the 2018 national policy statement; the later edition did not open. Read the operator's own page for current terms.
Bottom line: limits and account closure are part of the national framework.
Before you deposit
- Read the operator's responsible-gambling page for a time-out, a deposit limit and BetStop.
- Set a limit first: set a deposit limit.
- Know that BetStop covers licensed online and phone providers: BetStop explained.
Bottom line: set your limits before the first deposit.
What has not been read yet
The banking pages of at least three operators are needed to confirm which methods are named. Status: Not confirmed on 2026-11-13.
See the payment methods snapshot. Method: how we check bookmakers.
Bottom line: operator payment lines are still to be read.
Sources
- ACMA: about the Interactive Gambling Act
- ACMA: credit ban
- Australian Payments Plus: PayID
- Gambling Help Online
Checked 6 November 2026; this is a plain-language summary, not legal advice.
Bottom line: every statement above links to a regulator or a framework.
18+ and getting help
18+ only. Gambling can be harmful. Need help? Call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 (free, 24/7) or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. To exclude yourself from licensed Australian online and phone wagering providers, register with BetStop at betstop.gov.au.
We are not a bookmaker and do not take bets.
FAQ
How old do you have to be to bet online in Australia?
You must be 18 or older. Gambling is unlawful under 18, and an operator must return the deposit and close the account if a customer is found to be under 18.
Can I bet on sport while it is being played?
Not online. Online in-play sports betting is banned; the exception is a bet placed by voice over the phone.
Can I fund a betting account with a credit card?
No. Since 11 June 2024 credit cards, credit-based wallets and crypto cannot be used for online or phone betting.
Do I have to prove who I am?
Yes. The national framework says winnings cannot be withdrawn until your identity is verified.
How do I check that a bookmaker is licensed?
Search the brand and its exact domain in the ACMA register, then match the licence holder to its ABN in ABN Lookup.