Interactive Gambling Amendment (Credit and Other Measures) 2023

✦ Plain-English Summary

# Interactive Gambling Amendment (Credit and Other Measures) 2023

## What it does
Online gambling services in Australia will no longer be allowed to accept credit cards or digital currency (like cryptocurrencies) as payment. The ban kicks in 6 months after the law receives royal assent. Enforcement rules come into effect immediately.

## Why it matters
This stops people from betting with borrowed money, which can lead to serious debt and problem gambling. It's a direct attempt to reduce harm by making it harder to chase losses with credit you don't have upfront.

## Key details
- **Who it affects**: Online wagering operators (like betting websites and apps) must refuse credit card and digital currency payments, but cash and direct bank transfers likely remain allowed
- **Timeline**: The credit ban takes effect 6 months after royal assent; enforcement provisions start straight away
- **Review clause**: The government must review how well this actually works after 2 years, with a public consultation and report back to Parliament — so if it causes unintended problems, there's a chance to adjust it

Official Description

Amends the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 to: prohibit the use of credit cards, credit-related products and digital currency as payment methods for interactive wagering services; expand the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s compliance and enforcement powers; and make consequential amendments and remove spent provisions.

Committee Referrals

Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee; Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills

Full bill PDF →APH page →

Audit History

Introduced

13 Sept 2023

Last updated on APH

10 Apr 2026

Outcome date

11 Dec 2023

Last checked by Crossbench

yesterday

Full text indexed

yesterday

🗳️

No formal division recorded

This bill passed by voice vote — parliament agreed without calling a formal count. A division is only recorded when a member explicitly requests one.

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