Australia is known as one of the most gambling nations in the world. 39% of its population, almost 7 million people, regularly gamble. In Victoria alone, players will spend $1.5 billion on pokie machines during 2020 to 2021 fiscal year.

The gambling trend increased during COVID-19. According to a study by the Australian Institute of Family Studies, one in three people surveyed had set up a new gambling account on websites like yoju.casino official site. In addition, young men aged 18 to 34 increased the frequency of visits and the amount spent on gambling (from $687 to $1075).

Therefore, the government is taking measures to restrict gambling. By doing so, it seeks to reduce the risks of its citizens developing a problematic addiction. And, perhaps surprisingly, it is a fact that Australian operators are putting limits on their sites themselves.

Restrictions imposed by operators

The Australian Institute of Family Studies and the Australian Gambling Research Centre regularly conduct research. Among other things, they have studies on gambling and betting restrictions in the country.

According to their findings, all Australian operators use restrictions. It happens after successful players withdraw too much money and become unprofitable for the company.

How exactly do Australian operators manage this kind of risk?

1. One of the main tools is betting limits. Typically, casinos apply such a limit to players who consistently win.
2. In addition, many operators, after some time, close accounts of successful players or severely limit withdrawals.
3. Casinos define boundaries for all customers: the minimum deposit amount, the maximum bet on an active bonus, the maximum withdrawal amount during the week and month.

Effect of restrictions
Players facing restrictions go to offshore platforms. They, too, have these limits, but compared to casinos in Australia, they are not as strict. Customers can bet as much as they want. Moreover, players get better terms and competitive odds, which the Australian brands do not have.

Offshore brands provide:

• Bookmakers — fast betting, convenient live platforms, a vast range of markets to bet on.
• Poker rooms — high traffic, meaning their sites are visited by many players of different levels. Therefore, visitors can find an endless number of tables with participants in their class.
• Online casinos — better bonuses and a wide variety of licensed products thanks to international commission approvals and lower taxes.

Now on to the restrictions imposed by the Australian government.

Government restrictions
One of the primary instruments of government regulation is The Interactive Gambling Act 2001. Among other things, it outlines what services are prohibited and should not be provided to Australian citizens.

What is allowed and what is prohibited
This act prohibits offering “online casino services” but provides individual games: roulette, poker, craps, slots and blackjack. In other words, the wording is as follows: what is not allowed is prohibited. And the following gambling services are permitted:

• Phone betting service;
• An excluded wagering and gaming service, meaning: racing, sporting events, offline and online games;
• Trade promotion gambling, i.e. lotteries and games of chance which promote some trade;
• Lotteries;
• Broadcasting services, meaning that the operator organises the streaming of events or programmes.

These games and activities are legal, and operators can offer them to Australian residents. However, anything else (such as games with a mixture of skill and chance) is prohibited. If an operator provides banned services, they can receive a fine of up to 7,500 penalty units.

Another clarification. It is not allowed to provide to someone who physically resides in Australia. If the games and services have a wider audience and are not targeted at Australia, they are not banned.

Advertising is illegal
The promotion of online gambling is illegal. Operators must not advertise their games to Australian residents. It includes anything related to the concept of offline and electronic media. Organisers must not promote gambling via the internet, broadcast systems or any other means of communication.

Exceptions include political and casual advertising and promotion in imported media not explicitly targeted at an Australian audience.

Impact of government restrictions
These restrictions also take customers to offshore casinos and bookmakers. After all, these platforms are not licensed by Australia and therefore not subject to its laws. They do not have to pay taxes and fees. Hence, they have more favourable conditions. Players see an opportunity for more profit and better terms and choose what works for them.

The risk is that offshore brands are not as transparent as national brands. As a result, they may be involved in fraudulent schemes or money laundering. Therefore, it is vital to choose offshore gambling platforms that hold a license from a recognised international regulator.

Conclusion
Generally, restrictions of any kind in any country result in players not stopping gambling but going to offshore platforms. Unfortunately, this process is almost impossible to avoid.

Is it the right choice? It is up to everyone to decide for themselves. In the case of offshore bookmakers and casinos — you have to choose the website carefully in order not to get hooked by scammers. The main criteria for selection: license, certificates of famous auditors, range of games and convenient payment systems for withdrawal.

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NOTE: Gambling is illegal in the Cayman Islands