18+ Sports Betting In Australia
- Anyone 18 Or Older In AUS Can Sports Bet Legally
- Both Domestic And Offshore Sportsbooks Are Legal In Australia
Sports betting in Australia is legal for eighteen-year-old players and is regulated at the state and federal levels. 18+ sports betting in Australia is available via locally regulated sportsbooks, as well as a few offshore sports betting sites that are based overseas.
All of the country’s most popular sports are available to wager on at domestic and international sportsbooks. This guide will detail the sports betting laws in each state, what sports can be wagered on, and any other aspects you’ll need to know before placing a wager at 18.
Is It Legal To Bet On Sports In Australia At 18?
Yes. The minimum local sports betting age in all Australian states is set at eighteen years old. Multiple premium offshore sportsbooks allow for 18-year-old players to join and bet, such as the ones you see listed on this page.
The online sportsbooks that we recommend here accept members at 18 and allow you to wager on pro and college games and matches from across the entire country. They are legal to use nationwide due to a lack of state or federal laws that address them.
Local sportsbook sites and apps require that you be in that given region to place a wager and cannot be accessed outside that state’s borders. The online offshore sportsbooks and betting apps that we recommend can be used throughout the country, no matter what state you are in.
The Best Sports Betting Sites Australia Has To Offer For 18-Year-Olds
| Sportsbook | Bonus | USA | Rating | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 125% Bonus Up To $3,125 | 4.8/5 | Visit SiteReview |
Legal Sports Betting States In The Country
New South Wales
Sports betting in New South Wales is governed by Liquor & Gaming NSW. Anyone 18 or over can bet on sports at local retail venues, online, or via mobile gambling applications. The Gaming Machines Act 2001 and Betting and Racing Act 1998 are the pieces of legislation that outline current sports betting laws in NSW.
Victoria
The Victorian Commission for Gambling & Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) is the entity that regulates all sports betting within the state. Local gamblers can bet on sports using retail locations, online sportsbooks, and mobile gambling applications that have received licensing from the VCGLR. The AFL Grand Final is held in Victoria and is the largest betting event each year.
Queensland
The Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) is the regulatory body of legal sports betting in Queensland. Anyone that has reached the age of 18 can bet on sports legally using any regulated sportsbook in the state (in-person, mobile, online). The Gaming Control Act 1993 and Wagering Act 1998 are the two defining pieces of legislation in the region.
Western Australia
Regulation of local sports betting in Western Australia is provided by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSCI). The Betting Control Act of 1954 details the laws regarding local sportsbook operators and allows anyone who is 18+ to take part. WA allows betting kiosks to exist in regional bars and racetracks, as well as online and mobile options.
South Australia
Legal sports betting in South Australia is governed by the Consumer and Business Services (CBS) as designated by the Wagering and Betting Act 1992. Just like in other states, online, in-person, and mobile sports betting is legal for anyone 18 or older. SA features sports betting kiosks in various locations around the state where wagers can be placed without a cashier.
Tasmania
Local retail sportsbooks, online, and mobile sports betting are regulated by the Tasmanian Gaming and Racing Commission (TGRC). The minimum age to place a bet is 18 years old. Sports betting became legal in the region via the Tasmanian Gambling Control Act 1993.
Are Sports Betting Apps Legal In AUS?
Yes. Local sportsbook apps and offshore mobile betting options are legal in Australia for anyone 18 and up. Local applications require a download to your iPhone or Android smartphone, but apps based overseas only require you to have a web browser installed.
International betting apps have a few advantages over local mobile books, such as:
- The ability to gamble across the entire country without concern for what state you are standing in
- In-game betting is allowed, whereas local apps are prohibited from live wagering
- Cryptocurrency deposits are widely accepted at overseas gambling apps
- The inclusion of entertainment betting, political gambling, and other fringe gambling options
Live Betting Restrictions
Australia is unique in that its online and mobile domestic operators are not allowed to accept wagers on games in progress. Placing a bet while a game is in play requires gamblers to wager at a retail sportsbook either in person or over the phone.
The prohibition of live betting via online and mobile sports betting was set at the federal level by the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA). Offshore mobile and online sports betting sites that cater to AUS are not governed by the IGA and allow members to partake in live wagering for most major sports, including the sites you see featured on this page.
The Most Popular Sports To Bet On In Australia
Australian Rules Football (AFL) – The AFL receives the highest television ratings and the most attendance in AUS. The most wagered-upon event in the country each year is the AFL Grand Final. Bets can be placed on individual games, futures odds for champions, or prop bets for team or player performance.
Rugby League – Rugby is incredibly popular and ranks just behind the AFL in television ratings and attendance. The National Rugby League receives most of the attention, but the Rugby World Cup is also a favorite among locals.
Soccer – Betting on soccer is popular in most regions outside of the United States and is one of the most wagered-upon sports globally. The A-League is the most well-attended and bet-on soccer league. The FIFA World Cup happens every four years and captures the attention of area gamblers as well.
Cricket – The Test Cricket, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 (T20) leagues are what Australians like to bet on the most. There are also tournaments (the Ashes Series and the Big Bash League) that draw in loads of viewers and bettors.
Tennis – The Australian Open is played on hardcourts and is one of pro tennis’ Grand Slam tournaments. This international sport is as popular in Australia as anywhere else on the globe and commands a high volume of betting revenue locally and offshore.
Basketball – The National Basketball League (NBL) is a ten-team league that has nine franchises in AUS and one in New Zealand. The NBL is a popular betting sport that is only rivaled locally by the National Basketball Association (NBA) based in the United States.
eSports – A new market for wagering in AUS is eSports betting, which involves head-to-head competition in the realm of video games. Betting on eSports competitions and tournaments has received approval from the local government and is also available using international sportsbook sites.
How To Sign Up For A Sportsbook Account In AUS
Any of the recommended sportsbook sites that we link to in this guide allow for quick signups that only take a few minutes. Here is how to complete the process:
- By clicking any of the sportsbook links provided on this page, you’ll be taken to their website
- On the homepage, look for a join button on the top right
- Carefully type in your account information, create a secure sportsbook login, and verify your account via email or text
- Deposit money into your account by selecting the method you prefer and entering the amount of the transaction
- When the money is deposited, you can then press the sportsbook button in the top menu on any page
- All available sports will be listed in a side menu – press the sport you are interested in and locate the league or game within
- A bet slip will populate the screen if you click on any point spreads, odds, or totals
- Enter the amount of the bet you wish to make, and press submit
- Watch the game and come back to collect your payout if the wager is a winner
Sports Betting Sign-Up Bonuses
The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) has stringent rules regarding sportsbook bonuses and requires them to be within certain amounts so as not to inspire irresponsible gaming. No such restrictions are applied to offshore sportsbooks, so their bonus offers are usually much more lucrative than local bookmakers.
Most sports betting bonuses are designed to match a portion of your deposit and place it into your account upon the transaction’s completion. These are meant to entice new customers to join, but there are some terms that must be completed before a payout can be secured. These bonuses will usually look something like this: 125% deposit match up to $3125. In this example, the sportsbook is offering to match 125% of your deposit up to a maximum amount of $3125.
These terms usually include minimum deposit amounts and playthrough requirements, which equates to the number of times the money must be wagered and will be represented by a number followed by an X (ex: 10X). These bonuses are optional, so read the conditions of completion before accepting one. If you are going to be betting regularly on sports, the bonus offers may be a great way to boost your bankroll. If you are just going to bet on a single event, then it might be challenging to meet the rollover requirements, making the bonus more of a hinderance than a help.