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Which online gambling payments Australia bars, and which it leaves open

The online gambling payments Australia restricts most tightly are credit cards and digital currency: a licensed wagering provider may not accept either, or an account funded from a credit card, from customers in the country. The rest of the picture is bank controls for customers and, from 1 January 2027, a duty on banks to stop payments to illegal services.

Payments barred for online gambling in Australia

Section 15C of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 applies to a provider of a wagering service with an Australian-customer link. It covers three things: lending credit to a customer, accepting payment by credit card or from an account linked to a credit card, and accepting digital currency. The provider may also not facilitate or promote credit from a third person.

The rule took effect on 11 June 2024. Breaking it is an offence with a penalty of 500 penalty units, and a civil penalty of 750 penalty units applies in parallel. The credit card ban page goes through the section.

What the Act leaves open

Section 15C names credit cards, credit-card-linked accounts and digital currency, and it lets the Minister add methods by legislative instrument. It does not name debit cards, bank transfers or cash. A method that is neither on the list nor added by the Minister is not barred by this section.

Bank controls for customers

BetStop's support page notes that many major banks let a customer block gambling transactions on their accounts. A customer asks the bank how it can help. The National Debt Helpline, 1800 007 007, offers free and confidential advice from financial counsellors on weekdays between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm, and Moneysmart provides tools and guidance from the Australian Government.

Payments to illegal services

From 1 January 2027, a bank or other authorised deposit-taking institution, and a participant in a payment system, must prevent so far as reasonably practicable a payment from an account held in Australia to a designated interactive gambling service provider, or to a person associated with one or acting for it. The ACMA may disclose information to them to help them comply. Funds here include digital currency. The civil penalty is 1,000 penalty units.

Refunds when a person registers with BetStop

A wagering provider has to close the accounts of a person who joins BetStop and refund any credit in them, according to BetStop's own pages.

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