Credit Cards No Longer Accepted at AUS Casinos

If you are a frequent user of credit card payments at casinos in Australia, we have bad news for you: credit cards are now banned.

Credit No More

The ban was part of the legislation that was passed last year, and after six months of transitional period, the ban has come fully into effects. Casinos, and other similar companies in the industry, that fail to comply or continue offering such services will face a massive fine. Fines go up to 234,750 AUD, which is not a small price to pay so we expect Australian casinos to shut it down completely.

However, the ban does not include only credit cards, but also any kind of credit-related product and digital currencies. In other words, you can no longer use cryptocurrency, credit cards, and credit-related items to pay at gambling sites.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority gained more power in instilling the ban and ensuring everything is up to the standards. They can now enforce the novel and previous penalty provisions.

Communications Minister, Michelle Rowland, commented on the announcement by saying, “Australians should not be gambling with money they do not have. Last year, the Albanese Labor Government committed to banning credit cards for online wagering – and we’ve delivered. She continues,

“This ban builds on the significant progress to minimise gambling harm that the Albanese Government has made over the past two years, which is already benefitting thousands of vulnerable Australians.

“Our commitment to ensuring that gambling takes place within a robust legislative framework with strong consumer protections remains steadfast, and we will have more to announce in due course.”

Support from All Sides

The measure garnered support from various organizations and institutions. One important organization, the Responsible Wagering Australia, fully supports the ban. Members such as bet365, Betfair, Unibet, and Entain, also believe that the ban should expand to cover keno and lottery, not just sports betting and casino verticals.

RWA CEO, Kai Cantwell, has said that, “This is an important measure to protect customers, making it easier for people to stay in control of their own gambling behaviour”.

It seems that more and more organizations and authorities are considering taking the route the UKGC took a couple of years ago to prevent gambling harm and protect players from spending more than they can afford.

Please gamble responsibly.