Australia’s Gaming Ecosystem: Trends, Funding, and Growth

This includes support for joint ventures, shareholder agreements, due diligence for investors, software agreements, e-commerce contracts, security arrangements and privacy considerations. In addition to licensing, Senet advises clients on company formation and incorporation, corporate structuring, and specialised due diligence, particularly for investors, banks and financial sponsors. The firm aids innovative gambling businesses and their products successfully enter the market by collaborating with these businesses and their advisers throughout every stage of the gambling licensing process. Senet acts for some of the leading online gambling and gaming operators, regularly working with entrepreneurs, start-ups, investors, and international operators seeking to diversify and establish business operations in Australia.
There is co-mingling of state and territory totalisator pools through pooling arrangements, with three Australian totalisator pools currently in existence. Each state and territory has a relevant Casino Control Act (or similar legislation) under which casino licences have been issued. Gaming machine and other equipment manufacturers, software developers and technical services suppliers selling products and/or services used for gambling-related activities are also required to hold a relevant licence. Bingo is often regarded as minor gaming and may be conducted for fundraising or charitable purposes, typically by a community or other not-for-profit organisation. Corporate Bookmakers typically also offer ‘totalisator-derivative’ or ‘tote odds’ type betting. Sometimes an On-course Bookmaker will be licensed to offer fixed-odds betting on racing only.
Prior to that, he was a lawyer in the Corporate team at Herbert Smith Freehills, advising highly regulated clients across a range of corporate, regulatory and commercial matters. Prior to this, he worked in the M&A team at King & Wood Mallesons and held several senior positions at major law firms across Australia and Europe, predominantly advising highly regulated clients, including those in the gambling sector. There has been significant growth in this area with various business models implemented (including ‘membership-style’ businesses) which have been investigated by regulatory authorities and are the subject of litigation in the SA.
The duration of major operator licences depends upon the legislative framework in the relevant state or territory and is subject to possible change upon a licence renewal or new licence being issued. Various states (including NSW and Vic) have implemented harm minimisation measures to cap the number of gaming machine permits/licences on issue in certain lower socio-economic areas. The number of gaming machines available in each state and territory is strictly regulated. An application for a Corporate Bookmaker Licence issued in the NT, or an application for an On-course Bookmaker Licence, typically takes between three and six months for approval and can be made at any time. The number of licences available are limited and there are typically only one per state and territory (except in the case of current casino licences held in each of Qld, NT and NSW, the two recently issued Vic keno licences, and potentially for new wagering licences) and the processes are very infrequent. Casino licences can typically only be applied for through a competitive tender process run by the relevant state or territory.
Senet extends its expertise to local lawyers and service providers without specific gambling law experience, as well as international lawyers and attorneys seeking guidance on Australian gambling law and regulation matters. Senet keeps clients informed about changes in existing regulations or the introduction of new ones. Senet advises on competition and antitrust laws, particularly in relation to new product offerings, advertising campaigns and marketing policies.
Major shipping lines including Maersk and MSC have rerouted vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, adding 10 to 14 days to Asia-Europe transit times and increasing freight costs by 25 to 40%. This list highlights the creators with the strongest engagement and the most relevant Australian audiences. The top Winter Olympics athletes on Instagram are building massive global audiences by sharing their training routines, behind-the-scenes moments, and everyday lifestyle with fans around the world. This ranking highlights YouTube creators that surged the most month-over-month in May 2026. This ranking is built using real engagement metrics, audience demographics, follower growth data, and performance analytics, giving brands and gaming companies the confidence to partner with creators who truly influence the Australian gaming community.
In the NT, Corporate Bookmakers (and betting exchange operators) are required to pay a sports bookmaking tax on all net revenue and also a Racing and Wagering Levy which, among things, is applied to gambling harm reduction measures. In addition, that licensee currently pays the state a tax of 21.25% of its gross gaming revenue from table games and 31.57% of its gross gaming revenue from gaming machines in respect of regular players, together with a 1% community benefit levy. The state and/or territory taxes that apply to gambling products depend upon the relevant licence under which the product is being offered, the type of product and also the jurisdiction in which the product is offered. Separately, the CCA imposes penalties for, amongst other things, misleading and deceptive conduct (including through advertising). In addition to the compulsory responsible gambling messages and warnings, it is an offence to advertise an inducement to open a betting account or to refer another person to open a betting account and, in some jurisdictions, to gamble or to gamble more frequently. On-course Bookmakers offer substantially the same fixed-odds betting on-course and, subject to approval, also over the telephone and in some instances online. Corporate Bookmakers are licensed to offer fixed-odds betting on racing, sport and other approved events online and over the telephone.
Any applicant for a licence is generally required to undergo a probity assessment to determine whether such applicant is ‘fit and proper’ to be granted a licence. There are often strict local government planning requirements that must be met in relation to introducer gaming australia machines. Hotels and clubs hold a venue operator’s licence and a permit/licence to operate each gaming machine within the licensed premises. On-course Bookmakers holding an On-course Bookmaker Licence offer fixed-odds betting at racecourses and, where appropriately licensed, over the telephone and via the internet.
Any skill games and competitions with no element of chance are not typically regarded as gambling, but may still fall within certain gaming regimes when operated in a land-based context. Any skill games and competitions with no element of chance are not typically regarded as gambling, but may fall within certain ‘interactive gaming’ regimes when operated online and be regulated by state and territory gambling regulators. The ACMA has commented that social casinos are an example of the ongoing convergence of gaming and gambling activities and should be monitored. Unlike other jurisdictions, sweepstakes models which involve redemptions outside the platform are not operated in this jurisdiction (at least in any overt manner). Betting on fantasy sports in Australia is offered by some corporate bookmakers licensed in the NT (Corporate Bookmakers).