The Australian Capital Territory runs a comparatively restrained gambling sector, and its casino has a feature found almost nowhere else in the country: no poker machines at all. The territory’s rules sit on top of the federal framework.
Who regulates gambling in the ACT
The ACT Gambling and Racing Commission, part of Access Canberra, is the regulator for casinos, poker machines and wagering. Online gambling is handled federally by the ACMA under the Interactive Gambling Act.
The major laws
- Gaming Machine Act 2004 – poker machines, which in the ACT sit mainly in licensed clubs.
- Casino Control Act 2006 – licensing of Casino Canberra.
A casino with no pokies
Casino Canberra is unusual: it offers table games but has long operated without poker machines. In the ACT, machines are concentrated in licensed clubs instead, and the territory has pursued a steady policy of reducing the total number of machines over time – a quieter contrast to the machine-heavy model in a state like NSW.
Tax
The ACT has brought itself into line with the states by introducing a point-of-consumption tax of 15% on wagering, taxing bets based on where the customer is located rather than where the operator is licensed.
What’s legal for ACT players
- Legal: online betting with licensed Australian bookmakers on sports and racing; licensed lotteries and keno; land-based casino, club pokie and TAB play.
- Offshore only: online casino games, poker and live-dealer games, which no Australian operator may offer.
- Restricted: online in-play sports betting, which must be placed by phone or in person.
What this means for you
For an ACT resident, the rules mirror the national picture: bet legally with licensed local bookmakers, play licensed lotteries and keno, and treat any online casino as an offshore, unprotected option. See our gambling laws overview and the player disputes page for more.
This page is general information for players, not legal advice. If gambling has stopped being fun, free and confidential support is available 24/7 on 1800 858 858 – see our responsible gambling page.
