Australian government bans the use of credit cards for online gambling

For many Australians, the convenience of placing bets online has been a double-edged sword.

While it has allowed for easy participation in various forms of wagering, it has also increased the risk of gambling with funds that individuals may not possess.

This, in turn, leads to financial and emotional distress for Aussies engaging in these activities.


To lessen the potential harm of online gambling, the Australian government implemented a ban on the use of credit cards for all online gambling activities.

This significant regulatory shift, which took effect this past Tuesday, is part of a broader crackdown aimed at protecting vulnerable community members and reducing the financial risks associated with gambling.

The new legislation addressed this concern by prohibiting using credit cards—including those linked to digital wallets and digital currencies like Bitcoin—for online gambling transactions.

Non-compliance with these new laws will rack up fines of up to $234,750 for companies that fail to adhere to these regulations.


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Several statistics and reports highlight the widespread nature of gambling activities among Australians. Image Credit: Pexels/Pixabay


The online gambling industry had a six-month adjustment period, signalling the government's commitment to a responsible transition.

According to a report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australians lose approximately $25 billion to legal forms of gambling annually, translating to the highest per capita losses globally.

Two in five adults engage in a form of wagering weekly, and nearly half of Australian men spend money on gambling activities monthly.

This staggering figure highlighted the importance of effective regulatory measures.


Communications Minister Michelle Rowland was vocal about the legislation's intent, emphasising the need to protect Australians from the dangers of gambling.

'Australians should not be gambling with money they do not have,' Rowland said.

'Last year, the Albanese Labor government committed to banning credit cards for online wagering, and we delivered.'

'This ban builds on the significant progress to minimise gambling harm that the Albanese government has made over the past two years, which is already benefiting thousands of vulnerable Australians,' Rowland concluded.

The credit card ban aligns with recommendations from a parliamentary inquiry that advocated for a gradual elimination of gambling advertisements over the next three years.


The online wagering group Responsible Wagering Australia expressed its support for the new credit rule.

However, the group—which represented companies like Bet365, SportsBet, and Unibet—also called for expanding the ban to include online lotteries and Keno.

'If consumer protection measures aren't consistent across all forms of gambling, it will incentivise vulnerable Australians to move to less-regulated types of gambling, where they are more at risk of harm,' Chief Executive Kai Centwell said.

As we navigate these new regulations, we must be aware of the changes and understand the implications for their online activities.

The government's actions reflect a growing recognition of the need to promote responsible gambling and to provide a safer environment for all Australians.
Key Takeaways

  • The Australian government recently prohibited the use of credit cards for online wagering in a bid to reduce gambling-related harm.
  • The ban includes credit cards linked to digital wallets and digital currencies like Bitcoin, with companies facing substantial fines for non-compliance.
  • Communications Minister Michelle Rowland emphasised that the ban is part of ongoing reforms to protect vulnerable Australians from gambling.
  • The ban is in response to recommendations from a parliamentary inquiry, with Australians reportedly losing about $25 billion to legal forms of gambling annually.
  • Responsible Wagering Australia endorsed the new rule and suggested extending the measures to encompass online lotteries and Keno.
What are your thoughts on the credit card ban for online gambling? Do you think it will effectively reduce gambling harm, or are there other measures you believe should be taken? We would love to hear your opinions in the comments below.
 
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I think they should stop online gambling altogether. It makes it easy for younger people to gamble and lose money they don't have with online gambling. Also, all gambling advertising online, on television and on billboards should be banned. TV ads at 4 pm for gambling are not right due to children watching TV.
 
Not to put too fine a point on whose money it is - at the end of the day it is your money as you have to pay the balance on the card!
Absolute garbage! It is NOT your money ... it is money loaned to you by a credit provider that you have to repay with interest ( and yes gambling DOES incur interest even if the balance is repaid in full each month as it is considered a cash advance).
 
So when did government begun to be our moral compass. I understand Gambling can be a problem, but it's not up to them so say what we do with our money. They are slowly reducing our freedom of choice and our freedom in general.
Funny, they gamble with our money every day.;)
 
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What happens when we become a cashless society and the only payment method available is credit cards?
Just another attempt of the government controlling how and where we spend our money!
Or how the criminals launder their drug money. Something has to prevent them - now casinos are on the alert
 
Splitting hair here. They are telling you what you can and cannot do with your credit card. Even when I had one I paid it off Monthly. So Ultimately it would be my money.
You are right, but the compulsive gambler will run up a credit debt with someone else's (the bank's) money, hoping to win so he can pay it off. Oh, and I pay my credit card off every month. I'll be damned if I will give the bank any more of my hard earned money.
 
Former compulsive gambler here. It will make no difference. Punters will just take cash out of their credit card, put it straight into their debit card, and continue as usual, gambling on credit. It's easy to do, I did it regularly.
Until they max out their credit card and then have to admit they have a problem. There are always ways around any legislation, but the Government have to start somewhere. Somebody else come up with a better solution/answer, instead of bagging the Government for their attempts. I don't see anyone else making the effort to curb problem gambling.
 
Only people who have not been impacted by gambling addiction would be outraged by this.
I have been touched by someone committing suicide because of a gambling addiction, and that included online gaming. That is why I will rubber stamp any change that is trying to control the spread of this insanity.
There is a difference between social gambling (occasional punt), and full on addiction. Those who have lost control would jump at the opportunity to use money they do not have. In the end, someone will have to come up with the goods, or, suffer the consequences.
When the government speaks of banning credit cards, I read it to mean that it is aiming to stop the acceleration of the habit by restricting the access to gambling on credit. I don't know about the lotto and lotteries, but assume to buy a ticket online, one needs an account that has funds up front, like Paypal.
What has not been mentioned in other replies was the quoted $25 BILLION that is LOST (not wagered) by Aussies each year. That is astounding and bears noticing. Think of that before bemoaning the right to gamble on credit.
 
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I hope that this article refers to offshore gambling sites which the Australian Government has absolutely no control. The best solution is to ban these sites outright.

But I suppose the desperates will find a way around it by employing a VPN or proxy IP address.
 
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Absolute garbage! It is NOT your money ... it is money loaned to you by a credit provider that you have to repay with interest ( and yes gambling DOES incur interest even if the balance is repaid in full each month as it is considered a cash advance).
Wow - at this point in time I do not need any education on MY finances thank you!
 
Big brother telling you what you have to do with your money. I have been saying all along that we will soon be calling each other Comrades if you don't try to stop it.
This article is correct. I just found out that today when I went to transfer some money into my betting account as I have one of my horses racing tomorrow, and I wasn't allowed.
Now I will have to travel to town in the morning to be able to put a bet on my horses or put some cash into my account while at the sme time I have a mechanic coming to my farm to do some work on some heavy machinery.
 
So how are people going to pay for online gambling? I don’t gamble myself, but I am curious. Is this basically going to ban online gambling altogether? Not a bad thing, but what exactly is the plan? Forcing people to empty their bank accounts?
Let's put it simply in one way...........IS THERE A METHOD IN SOMEONE'S MADNESS.??
I REST MY CASE.!!
 
For us it is more convenient and has been for years - as well it kicks up our rewards for end of year for gift vouchers for Xmas. We use our card for everything each month and pay it in full each month so what is the problem?
I am doing the same and my Cradit Card is locked into deducting any money due by the due date from one of my Accounts so I don't even have to worry about paying it.
 
So when did government begun to be our moral compass. I understand Gambling can be a problem, but it's not up to them so say what we do with our money. They are slowly reducing our freedom of choice and our freedom in general.
Love it. Post of the day.
 
I hope that this article refers to offshore gambling sites which the Australian Government has absolutely no control. The best solution is to ban these sites outright.

But I suppose the desperates will find a way around it by employing a VPN or proxy IP address.
No it is not. It applies here in Australia now.
 
Shame they can't ban those addicted to online shopping on credit cards. Running their households into debt.
 
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It's true that gambling with money you don't have can lead to serious financial and emotional issues. I prefer gambling online where you can set limits to your spending, which helps keep things under control.
If you're looking for a safer way to gamble, online slots can be a fun option. You can check some options at https://happily-bleeding.com/.
Anyway, it'll be interesting to see how this new rule affects gambling behavior and if it truly helps protect vulnerable people.
 

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