Interactive Gambling Act and age restrictions
Interactive Gambling Act 2001 and age restrictions
The Federal Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) sets uniform rules for the operation of online gambling operators in Australia. One of the main provisions is a strict ban on the provision of interactive services to persons under 18 years of age. Below is a comprehensive overview of IGA requirements and related controls.
1. IGA Scope
Online gambling: online casinos, poker, virtual slots, in-play betting
Negative exceptions: sports betting before the event (off-course betting) and lotteries drawn before the draw (term "non-interactive")
Operators under jurisdiction: all sites and platforms targeted at Australian residents, regardless of their physical location
2. Minimum age - 18 years
1. Outright ban
Company: Fine up to AUD 1.1 million for each day of violation
Responsible person: fine up to 220,000 AUD per day or up to 2 years in prison
3. Strictness
No Australian state and territory legislation reduces or mitigates this norm
The federal threshold of 18 years is absolute, it acts "on top" of all local acts
3. KYC requirements and age verification
1. Mandatory documents
Passport, driver's license, national ID card or birth certificate
2. Verification procedures
Downloading scans/photos of documents on the site
Electronic verification through banking APIs or third-party KYC services
Revalidation for large payouts or suspicious transactions
3. Suspension of services
If the age is not confirmed or the data is in doubt, the operator is obliged to block the account until the end of the check
4. Interaction of federal and regional regulation
IGA sets age threshold and general KYC requirements
State/territory legislation (NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, NT, ACT)
Licensing of operators offline and online
Local commissions monitor the implementation of KYC and age restrictions
Repeated violations may lead to suspension or cancellation of the license at the state level
5. Clearance sanctions <18 years
Reputational risks: blacklists of ACMA and local regulators, banks' refusal to interact
Control mechanism: regular audits, sudden inspections, mandatory reporting
6. Enhanced Security Tools
1. National Register of Self-Exclusion
Players can lock themselves into all licensed platforms for between 3 months and a lifetime exclusion
2. Credit and payment restrictions
Ban on the use of credit cards, BNPL services and cryptocurrencies for interactive bets
3. Interbank Data Exchange
Banks and payment systems automatically block transfers to operators when the limits set by the user are reached
7. Practical value for players and operators
For players 18 +
Compliance with the law does not give "preferences," but guarantees protection: transparent rules and self-control mechanisms
The need to pass KYC before the first bet and with each significant increase in limits
For operators
Implement robust age verification systems and regularly update KYC procedures
Integration with local regulators, providing instant blocking when a violation is suspected
Conclusion
Interactive Gambling Act 2001 sets Australia's strict age threshold of 18 for all interactive gambling. The law, together with regional acts and additional KYC modes, forms a comprehensive system of verification and protection, imposing strict responsibility on operators and offering players tools of self-control and self-exclusion.
The Federal Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) sets uniform rules for the operation of online gambling operators in Australia. One of the main provisions is a strict ban on the provision of interactive services to persons under 18 years of age. Below is a comprehensive overview of IGA requirements and related controls.
1. IGA Scope
Online gambling: online casinos, poker, virtual slots, in-play betting
Negative exceptions: sports betting before the event (off-course betting) and lotteries drawn before the draw (term "non-interactive")
Operators under jurisdiction: all sites and platforms targeted at Australian residents, regardless of their physical location
2. Minimum age - 18 years
1. Outright ban
💡"No operator should offer interactive gambling to a person under the age of 18."
2. ResponsibilityCompany: Fine up to AUD 1.1 million for each day of violation
Responsible person: fine up to 220,000 AUD per day or up to 2 years in prison
3. Strictness
No Australian state and territory legislation reduces or mitigates this norm
The federal threshold of 18 years is absolute, it acts "on top" of all local acts
3. KYC requirements and age verification
1. Mandatory documents
Passport, driver's license, national ID card or birth certificate
2. Verification procedures
Downloading scans/photos of documents on the site
Electronic verification through banking APIs or third-party KYC services
Revalidation for large payouts or suspicious transactions
3. Suspension of services
If the age is not confirmed or the data is in doubt, the operator is obliged to block the account until the end of the check
4. Interaction of federal and regional regulation
IGA sets age threshold and general KYC requirements
State/territory legislation (NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, NT, ACT)
Licensing of operators offline and online
Local commissions monitor the implementation of KYC and age restrictions
Repeated violations may lead to suspension or cancellation of the license at the state level
5. Clearance sanctions <18 years
| Face type | Fine | Additional measures |
|---|---|---|
| Operator (company) | up to 1,100,000 AUD/day | License suspension/revocation |
| Responsible person | up to 220,000 AUD/day | Criminal liability, up to 2 years in prison |
Reputational risks: blacklists of ACMA and local regulators, banks' refusal to interact
Control mechanism: regular audits, sudden inspections, mandatory reporting
6. Enhanced Security Tools
1. National Register of Self-Exclusion
Players can lock themselves into all licensed platforms for between 3 months and a lifetime exclusion
2. Credit and payment restrictions
Ban on the use of credit cards, BNPL services and cryptocurrencies for interactive bets
3. Interbank Data Exchange
Banks and payment systems automatically block transfers to operators when the limits set by the user are reached
7. Practical value for players and operators
For players 18 +
Compliance with the law does not give "preferences," but guarantees protection: transparent rules and self-control mechanisms
The need to pass KYC before the first bet and with each significant increase in limits
For operators
Implement robust age verification systems and regularly update KYC procedures
Integration with local regulators, providing instant blocking when a violation is suspected
Conclusion
Interactive Gambling Act 2001 sets Australia's strict age threshold of 18 for all interactive gambling. The law, together with regional acts and additional KYC modes, forms a comprehensive system of verification and protection, imposing strict responsibility on operators and offering players tools of self-control and self-exclusion.
