The main law that is applicable to punters in the country is that they have to be 18 years old, or older, to have the right to play casino games, make bets, or participate in lotteries. This is applicable to both offline and online venues.
Since online platforms run locally are not available to Aussies, many of them prefer land based gambling, and this is why. Land based facilities are regulated by the government, and in case of any fraud, or low quality service, the player is protected by the government, and the operator will most likely compensate any losses.
Talking about local regulating bodies, every territory in the country has its own authority or agency that manages the niche. Here they are:
Australian Capital Territory - ACT Gambling and Racing Commission
New South Wales - New South Wales Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing
Northern Territory - Licensing Commission
Queensland - Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation
South Australia - Independent Gambling Authority
Tasmania - Tasmanian Gaming Commission
Victoria - Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation
Western Australia - Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor
On the other hand, land based playing is always limited to some extent, so little surprise most passionate players prefer web platforms to make bets and win real money. The only legal drawback in this case is the fact that the state does not regulate any of these platforms, and therefore cannot protect Aussie players from any fraud or low quality of service. In this case, online casinos are mostly regulated by international authorities that issue license for them, and are certified by independent third parties to prove reliability and security. It is the player’s responsibility to double-check the offshore platform carefully, make head or tail in these regulating bodies, and choose the best online casino Australia out there. This is why Australian online casino reviews are so in demand.
The majority of Australian online casinos that legally accept real money players from Australia hold one of the following licenses:
Costa Rica
Curacao
Malta Gaming Authority
UK Gambling Commission
However, this list is far from exhausting, and the site can have any other license (but Aussie one).
The point is to know what is the license held by the site, whether it is timely and not expired, and whether there are other third-party certifications and proofs that the site is safe.
As for Aussie companies that want to run a gambling business, there are separate business laws and regulations.