Gambling Age and Age Verification in Australia
The legal gambling age is 18 in every Australian state and territory, for all forms of gambling: venue pokies, casinos, TAB and online betting, lotteries and keno. Online, the age check is part of identity verification. Licensed Australian wagering providers must verify identity before a customer can place a first bet. Offshore casinos run their own checks under their overseas licence, often later in the process.
This page explains how verification works for each type of operator, which documents are used, what happens to underage accounts, and what parents can do.
Licensed Australian Betting Sites
Under Measure 3 of the National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Wagering, a customer’s identity must be verified when an account is opened and before any bet is placed. The allowed window has been tightened in stages:
| Date | Verification deadline |
|---|---|
| 26 February 2019 | Within 90 days of opening an account |
| Between 2019 and 2022 | Within 14 days |
| 2 May 2022 update | Within 72 hours |
| 29 September 2023 update | Before the customer can gamble |
The measure is regulated by AUSTRAC through the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Rules. DSS explains the reason directly: underage gamblers and people who have self-excluded are more vulnerable, and mandatory pre-verification is critical to reducing harm for these groups. Pre-verification also lets providers check BetStop before the first bet.
How the check works
- You enter your full name, date of birth and residential address.
- You provide details from an identity document, typically an Australian driver’s licence, passport or Medicare card.
- The provider checks these details electronically against official or reliable data sources.
- If electronic checks fail, the provider asks for document uploads.
- The account cannot be used to bet until verification is complete.
Offshore Online Casinos
Offshore casinos are not covered by the National Framework. Their licences (Curaçao, Anjouan, Tobique and others) require KYC and age checks, but the timing is set by the operator:
| Stage | What often happens at offshore casinos |
|---|---|
| Registration | Self-declared date of birth and a tick box confirming you are 18+ |
| First deposit | Usually allowed without documents |
| First withdrawal | Photo ID, proof of address, sometimes a selfie and proof of payment method |
| Large or unusual transactions | Source-of-funds documents |
The weak point is the gap between registration and the first withdrawal. A minor can deposit using someone else’s payment method, and the casino may only discover it at withdrawal. Casino terms then void winnings and close the account, and deposits may be returned to the payment owner. Our KYC verification guide and how to verify your casino account list the documents casinos typically request.
Documents Commonly Requested
| Document | Used for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Driver’s licence or passport | Identity and age | Must be current; all corners visible |
| Medicare card | Identity (licensed Australian providers) | Accepted by BetStop and many licensed providers |
| Utility bill or bank statement | Proof of address | Usually dated within the last 3 months |
| Card photo or e-wallet screenshot | Proof of payment ownership | Middle card digits covered |
| Selfie holding ID | Matching the person to the document | Common at offshore casinos |
What Happens to Underage Accounts
- Licensed Australian providers must not allow an unverified customer to bet, so an underage person should be stopped at sign-up.
- Offshore casinos typically void all winnings and close the account once an underage player is identified. Terms vary on whether deposits are returned.
- Using another adult’s identity or payment method breaches every casino’s terms and can be fraud. The adult whose details were used may also face account closure.
Simulated Gambling and Loot Boxes in Games
Since 22 September 2024, the National Classification Scheme applies mandatory minimum ratings to video games with gambling-like content classified from that date:
| Content | Minimum classification |
|---|---|
| Interactive simulated gambling (for example, virtual pokies with in-game currency) | R 18+ |
| Paid loot boxes or other chance-based in-game purchases | M (not recommended for under 15s) |
The rules apply to games classified or reclassified on or after that date; earlier ratings generally stand unless a game is modified.
What Parents Can Do
- Turn on device-level parental controls and app-store age restrictions.
- Use an accredited family-friendly filter: ACMA passes the URLs of blocked illegal gambling sites to accredited filter providers (187 URLs in April–June 2026).
- Install gambling blocking software on shared devices; see gambling blocking software.
- Add a gambling block on any card a teenager can access; the four major banks offer one.
- Check game classifications for simulated gambling and loot boxes.
- If you are concerned about a young person, Gambling Help Online offers support to family members as well; see helping a family member.
Related Pages
- Is online gambling legal in Australia
- BetStop, which checks identity against the national register
- VPNs and online casinos, on why location and identity must match
Official source: DSS: National Consumer Protection Framework measures.
This guide is part of our online gambling in Australia section, which covers the law, licences, complaints and player protections.
Frequently Asked Questions
18 in every state and territory, for all forms of gambling, both in venues and online.
Licensed Australian wagering providers must verify your identity before you can place your first bet. This has been required since 29 September 2023.
Offshore casinos are not covered by Australian verification rules and often complete KYC at the first withdrawal. Completing it early avoids payout delays.
The casino will normally void the winnings and close the account once it identifies the player as underage. Using another adult’s details breaches the terms and can be fraud.
Games classified since 22 September 2024 with paid loot boxes must be rated at least M, and games with interactive simulated gambling are rated R 18+.
Gambling is for adults 18+ only. Parents and young people can get free support from Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858.