History of Gambling in Australia

Gambling in Australia has a rich history that dates back to colonial times. However, the country's first legal casino didn't open until 1973 in Tasmania. Since then, regulated gambling has flourished, including lotteries, casinos, pokies, and sports betting. More recently, online wagering providers have been licensed to offer virtual betting options.

Horse Racing and Lotteries: A Long History in Australia 

No account of Australia’s gambling history is complete without highlighting horse racing's pivotal role in the spread of the pastime across the nation. Wagering on horses began at Sydney’s Hyde Park as early as 1810. 

In 1861, the Victorian Turf Club inaugurated the Melbourne Cup. Held annually on a Spring Tuesday in November, this prestigious race features thoroughbreds competing for a prize pool exceeding $8,000,000. 

However, horse racing isn’t Australia’s only enduring gambling tradition. While private lottery draws date back to the 1880s, government-operated lotteries started emerging in the 1920s. These lotteries became significant revenue generators for state and territory governments. The taxes from these draws provide essential funding for various public policies and priorities across Australia.

Expansion of Casinos and Sports Betting 

Since the first legal casino opened in Hobart in 1973, the gambling landscape in Australia has expanded significantly. Casinos soon began to emerge in other regions, including Alice Springs, Darwin, and Launceston. Mega-casinos followed, with Crown casinos establishing themselves in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. However, these venues have faced significant issues, including scandals related to tax evasion, money laundering, and organized crime. 

Sports betting also saw growth, starting with Sports bet's licensing in 1993. Prior to this, underground betting on sports like footy and rugby was widespread. As the legal market expanded, more companies received sports betting licenses, giving punters a wide range of options. Nowadays, bettors often choose their sportsbooks based on promotions, bonuses, and loyalty programs.

History of Online Gambling 

Over the past two decades, online wagering has experienced rapid growth in Australia. The federal government has made numerous attempts to regulate unlicensed gambling service providers. In 2001, the Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) established baseline requirements for offering online gambling to Australian residents. Since then, this Act has been updated to keep pace with the evolving landscape of gambling services. 

The IGA covers all forms of online gambling, including mobile betting, online casinos, sportsbooks, lotteries, and pokies. Offshore casino websites are barred from offering services to Australian customers unless they hold a valid license from a state or territorial government. 

In addition, the government has introduced a National Consumer Protection Framework to combat problem and underage gambling. This framework imposes restrictions on advertising, banking options, and other aspects of gambling, both online and in-person, to help prevent gambling addiction and minimize problematic losses.