ACMA and the state authorities: who does what?
Licences for online bookmakers come from state and territory authorities, not from one national regulator. ACMA enforces the federal Interactive Gambling Act 2001, keeps the public register of licensed providers and oversees BetStop, while the Department of Infrastructure leads federal policy. This page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice.
Who does what
- State and territory authorities issue the licences.
- ACMA enforces the Interactive Gambling Act 2001: it keeps the register, blocks illegal sites and oversees BetStop.
- The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts leads federal policy.
No separate national regulator is being created, per a secondary source. Questions on who has jurisdiction over a given site are for a lawyer.
Bottom line: licensing is regional; enforcement of the federal law is ACMA's.
The licensing authorities
| Authority | Website | Register records | Website status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liquor & Gaming NSW | nsw.gov.au (department page) | 70 | Opened 2026-11-06 |
| Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) | vgccc.vic.gov.au | 76 | Opened 2026-11-06 |
| Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission | dth.nt.gov.au/racing-gaming-and-licensing | 44 | Opened 2026-11-06 |
| Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) | qric.qld.gov.au | 9 | Opened 2026-11-06 |
| South Australia, Consumer and Business Services | cbs.sa.gov.au | 6 | Opened 2026-11-06 |
| WA Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety | Not confirmed | 4 | Website not checked |
| Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission | Not confirmed | 2 | Website not checked |
| ACT Gambling and Racing Commission | Not confirmed | 1 | Website not checked |
| NT Director-General of Licensing | Not confirmed | 1 | Website not checked |
| Queensland Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation | Not confirmed | 1 | Website not checked |
The register lists 66 records without a URL as at 2026-11-06. How they split by authority is Not confirmed on 2026-11-13.
Bottom line: ten authorities appear in the register; five websites were opened on 6 November.
The register and BetStop
The ACMA register lists the trading name, licence holder, URL and licensing authority. Export files come as JSON and CSV.
BetStop is the National Self-Exclusion Register. It covers licensed online and phone bookmakers, not casino sites or illegal services.
Pages: ACMA register snapshot and BetStop explained.
Bottom line: the register is the first stop; BetStop is the self-exclusion tool.
Recent law
The Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Act 2026 is Act No. 72, 2026. It received Royal Assent on 26 August 2026, and its main provisions start on 1 January 2027.
Read the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 and the Gambling Reform Act 2026 on the federal register. Summary: Gambling Reform Act 2026.
Bottom line: the 2026 Act starts mainly on 1 January 2027.
Sources
- ACMA: about the Interactive Gambling Act
- Department of Infrastructure: gambling
- NT: racing, gaming and licensing
- Liquor & Gaming NSW
- VGCCC
- QRIC
- South Australia CBS
Checked 6 November 2026.
Bottom line: every authority named here links to its own site where one was opened.
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
Who issues licences to online bookmakers in Australia?
State and territory authorities do. The register of 6 November 2026 lists ten, led by the VGCCC with 76 records and Liquor & Gaming NSW with 70.
What does ACMA do?
ACMA enforces the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, keeps the register of licensed providers, blocks illegal sites and oversees BetStop.
Who sets federal gambling policy?
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts.
How many records are in the ACMA register?
214 as at 6 November 2026, of which 66 had no URL. The count was not repeated on 13 November 2026.
Is there a national gambling regulator?
A secondary source says no separate national regulator is being created. Jurisdiction questions for a specific site are for a lawyer.