Illegal Online Gambling in Australia Has Doubled to $2.53bn

^{Photo: Kai Cantwell, CEO of RWA}

Australia’s illegal online gambling market has more than doubled since 2019, reaching $2.53 billion, according to Inside Asian Gaming, citing new research by H2 Gambling Capital for industry body Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA). The figure is projected to rise to $3.24 billion by 2029.

The report estimates that in 2025, 36% of all online bets placed in Australia will be made through offshore websites. A quarter of those bets involve products banned under current laws, including online casinos and live in-play betting. In Australia, only online sports betting and lotteries are legally permitted, while online casino and online poker remain prohibited.

RWA warns that federal and state budgets could lose almost $1.30 billion over the next five years as players migrate to the unregulated sector. By 2029, annual losses are expected to reach $377 million.

RWA CEO Kai Cantwell said unlicensed operators typically base themselves in jurisdictions with weaker oversight and exploit financial and legal loopholes, allowing them to avoid sanctions.

The study also found that 50% of Australians who had gambled on illegal platforms were registered with BetStop, the national self-exclusion system. Analysts note that one of the main reasons users choose offshore platforms is access to live betting — a feature that in Australia is legally available only via telephone. Players also cited better odds and more generous bonuses on unlicensed sites.