ACMA bookmakers ✔️ licensed betting sites 2024

PlayUP

Rating:

🎁 advantage Premium betting entertainment and technology group that enriches the lives of people through entertaining, rewarding and responsible online betting

Unibet

Rating:

🎁 advantage 0 bonus

UBET

Rating:

🎁 advantage Huge range of markets including AFL, NRL, Soccer, Spring Carnival Racing and more!

Betfair

Rating:

🎁 advantage 0 bonus

Draftstars

Rating:

🎁 advantage Leading daily fantasy sports platform in Australia with the largest range of sports contest and the biggest prize pools in the industry

Sportsbet

Rating:

🎁 advantage Australia's favourite online betting and entertainment website

Elitebet

Rating:

🎁 advantage One of the snappiest betting sites

Bet365

Rating:

🎁 advantage 0 bonus

Register 18+ | Northern Territory Racing Commission. Malta Gaming Authority. The UK Gambling Commission. Gibraltar Gaming Commission. The Customs and Monopoly Agency of Italy. Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling in Spain. Gambling Authority of Denmark. Tasmanian Gaming Commission.

Betstar

Rating:

🎁 advantage Bet on Horse Racing, Harness Racing, Greyhound Racing & Sports

Blue Bet

Rating:

🎁 advantage Get bigger odds with Same Race Multi! Bet on sports & racing markets with your True Blue Aussie bookmaker

Table of contents

Meet our author

Betting expert Elizabeth Winnie

Through a ranking system and serious and consolidated standards, we make a point of evaluating the best authorized betting sites in Australia. This information will not only allow you to have access to the best bonuses, but also to the best conditions to make the best sports bets online.

Updated: 2024-04-10

When it comes to gambling, the very first thing a user should do is make sure that the platform they've laid their eyes on is legal. One of the best ways to find out whether or not that's the case is to see if the site is on the list of approved ACMA sports betting sites. ACMA is an abbreviation that stands for the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

The independent authority regulates communications and media services in Australia and provides licenses for certain organizations. ACMA monitors the control of online gambling and is entitled to enforce laws when it comes to online betting. If a sports betting company, for example, holds a license issued by ACMA, this means that it automatically becomes part of the full list of online bookmakers approved by the Authority.

It is incredibly important for Australian bettors to only gamble on secure and ACMA sports betting sites. Otherwise, they risk becoming victims of various frauds. Although many platforms may seem completely safe to bet on, they are not always the best options, especially if they have not been added to the register of ACMA bookmakers. The authority has the legal power to investigate brand new online bookmakers and, if necessary, to restrict them for Australian bettors. Additionally, ACMA can issue notices whenever there's any type of breach.

All daily activities in the Australian Communications and Media Authority are handled by a team of professionals. It consists of a CEO, the Chair, and four general administrators. One of the things that guarantee ACMA is completely legitimate is the fact that the engagement of the entire working team has happened under the Public Service Act 1999.

One of the main purposes of the Australian Communications and Media Authority is to contribute to the establishment of absolute trust between consumers and the communications services. The authority strives to protect Australian consumers by enforcing regulations.

Whenever the Australian Communications and Media Authority finds out that specific betting sites Australia do not comply with the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, access to respective platforms is no longer allowed. The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 regulates interactive gambling services, or, in other words, betting services accessible via a particular website or a mobile application. The register of ACMA bookmakers is not short at all.

Below, readers can find relevant and detailed information with respect to the ACMA sports betting sites that are considered safe, and Australian players of legal age can access them at any time. In addition to this, we'll also deliver a full list of all bookmakers that have not been approved by the Australian authority and are thus blocked for Australian bettors.

Legal bookmakers approved by ACMA

As aforementioned, all betting sites Australia should be licensed by the respective authorities. Otherwise, customers will not be granted access to the respective platforms. The Australian Communications and Media Authority is one of the jurisdictions that can investigate a betting site and decide whether or not it should be part of the licensed ACMA bookmakers. If the bookmaker becomes part of the full list of online bookmakers that are enabled to deliver interactive gambling services in Australia, it is considered legal.

On the other hand, if specific online bookmakers have not been authorized by ACMA, this would mean that they do not guarantee full protection for customers and are, therefore, considered illegitimate and potentially fraudulent.

In cases when a player bets on non-regulated Australian bookmakers, they will not have the right to complain if they have been deceived in any way during their experience. Even if they lose a lot of money, the authorities will not be able to assist with anything. Thus, in order to avoid such unpleasant situations, users should always ensure that the respective platform is part of the approved by ACMA sports betting sites.

ACMA advises users to never perform any type of activity on websites that are not added to the register of approved ACMA bookmakers. According to a survey conducted back in 2020, more than 10% of Australians gamble more than once a week, and some of them even several times a day. Betting on sports and horse racing seem to be some of the Australian bettors' favourite options when it comes to interactive gambling.

Even though these services are available on multiple platforms, punters can only place their real money stakes on ACMA bookmakers. The reason being is that, as you already know, the majority of platforms that are not licensed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority or another jurisdiction are not accessible to consumers.

The legal ACMA sports betting sites are listed on the official website of the authority. Next to some of them, you will notice additional information in regard to the company that has been granted the license. Here is a list of some of the most well-known licensed bookmakers Australia gamblers can bet on:

DraftKings
Betfair
Bet365
Moneyball
PointsBet
Sportsbet

Of course, these are just a few of the ACMA-approved sports betting sites. If a consumer suspects any of the ACMA bookmakers of being a scam, they may inform the authority. In case they find out a certain company has not been compliant with the law, they may issue a warning or a notice. Needless to say, other, more severe consequences may follow, as well, such as the exclusion of the list of licensed ACMA sports betting sites.

List of blocked by ACMA betting and casino sites

The next list of online gambling websites we would like to focus on is the one that consists of sports betting and online casino sites that have been banned by ACMA and are not part of the ACMA bookmakers list. In other words, consumers residing within the territory of Australia are not permitted to access those platforms. The regulator investigates different organizations and companies under various laws and instruments, including the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

According to it, online gambling services that are not licensed should not be provided to users residing in Australia. Additionally, the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 forbids the advertisement of unlicensed betting services, as well as the provision of such services to individuals who have been added to the National Self-Exclusion Register. Once a person becomes part of this register, they are not allowed to access any online website that gives users the right to engage in any gambling-related operations, even if they're presented on ACMA sports betting sites.

ACMA has adopted an approach that allows them to recognize any fraudulent activities and breaches of the law. Depending on the level of violation, the Australian Communications and Media Authority's team implements the respective measures. If they decide that an action must be taken, the respective organization may face severe consequences. The highest level of intervention would be civil and criminal action.

When it comes to gambling services, ACMA may determine that a specific betting or casino platform should no longer provide its services to Australian consumers. In case this happens, the site in question will be excluded from the ACMA sports betting sites list.

Whenever the authority suspects a bookmaker to operate in breach of the Gambling Act 2001, they investigate the respective brand, and if their doubts turn out to be true, the sites immediately become considered non-approved ACMA bookmakers. Not only are they not approved, but they become blocked. In other words, no Australian consumer is permitted to access those websites.

The list of banned ACMA sports betting sites is updated regularly, which means that the regulatory body constantly keeps an eye on all active sports betting and casino platforms. Banning is one of the most severe measures that may be taken. Here is a list consisting of online gambling websites that have been blocked by the ACMA:

goldenreels.com
zeturf.com
dazard.com
spinsamurai.com
betchain.com
fastpay-casino.com
bitstarz.com
playamo.com
casinochan.com
woocasino.com
zebet.com
bondibet.com
emu-casino.com
bambet.com
kingbillycasino.com
axecasino.com
nationalcasino.com

Blocked ACMA bookmakers have usually breached the aforementioned Interactive Gambling Act 2001. Violations may include the provision of gambling services that are forbidden within the territory of Australia. Plus, if a betting site does not hold a valid license issued by the Australian authorities, it will be blocked by ACMA, and consumers will not have access to it.

Every owner of a betting site or an operator whose services are delivered on the banned site has the right to dispute ACMA's decision. That can be done on ACMA's official site. However, this in any way does not guarantee the respective platform will become accessible again. In order for a brand to become part of the approved ACMA sports betting sites, it should not violate any legal and fundamental rules.

FAQ

We believe some of you may come up with specific questions with respect not only to the ACMA sports betting sites but to the entire gambling industry, as well. In the upcoming paragraphs, you will be provided with up-to-date information regarding the topic of interactive betting in Australia and the illegal services there.

Is bookmaker legal in Australia?

Australian residents who are of legal age are permitted to place real money bets on licensed ACMA bookmakers. According to the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, betting on sports through operators that have been issued the necessary license is completely legal. Nonetheless, there are some specifics regarding interactive sports betting services. The IGA does not permit live betting. In other words, consumers may only bet on games on ACMA sports betting sites that have not started yet.

How to become a bookmaker in Australia?

If a brand or individual wishes to become part of the list of licensed bookmakers Australia, they will have to obtain the respective license. In addition, ACMA bookmakers should abide by various state and federal laws in order to be given the right to offer various sports markets. Last but not least, it is completely mandatory for all online bookmakers to ensure that each of their customers who want to place real money bets is of legal age.

Why is online gambling illegal in Australia?

Online gambling is not entirely illegal in Australia, considering there are many ACMA sports betting sites. However, there are certain interactive gambling services that are strictly prohibited. This includes betting on certain games of chance in virtual casinos and betting on sports events that are being played at the moment, also known as in-play betting. One of the reasons why these activities are prohibited is that the IGA strives to protect consumers from the harmful effects online betting may have on them.

Can Australians bet offshore?

According to the IGA, it is not permitted for offshore operators to publish ads aimed at Australian bettors. Nonetheless, this does not mean that offshore betting is illegal. Australian players are allowed to place bets on overseas websites as long as they have a valid license granted by the relevant Australian authorities. If the bookmaker lacks such a license, it will not be part of the list of lawful ACMA bookmakers and will therefore be blocked for consumers residing in Australia.

Can you still play online pokies in Australia?

Aside from betting on ACMA sports betting sites, Australians also like to play pokes. Pokies, also known as slot machines in the United States, are quite likeable by the majority of bettors. Nonetheless, as you already know, betting on games of chance in Australia-based gambling sites is not permitted. Therefore, if a customer wants to place a bet on such a game, the only option for them will be to access an offshore betting website that holds an Australian license.

What do you need a gambling license for?

In order for a site to become part of the ACMA bookmakers list, it should hold a valid license. We have mentioned that websites without licenses are not considered legit and are therefore non-accessible to Australian bettors. Thus, a gambling license is mandatory for a bookmaker if they want to deliver their services to consumers. When bookmakers obtain the needed gambling licence, they'll be given the right to accept Australian bettors.