Australian users of bet365 will be disappointed to learn that live in-play betting is now only available over the phone. Live online betting is no longer provided to Australians as part of the bookmaker’s plan to obtain a sports book license in Australia. Earlier in 2011 bet365 ceased its provision of online casino, poker room and bingo services to Australians.
Screenshot of the online betting interface
bet365 has been forced to make these changes to comply with the Australian Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA), which makes it an offence to offer or advertise real money online interactive gambling services to Australian residents. The term ‘interactive’ includes live sports betting. This law technically applies to all online operators, regardless of whether they are owned and/or licensed in Australia. Interestingly, adherence to the IGA is the responsibility of the gambling operators and not individual Australians. The average Australian citizen cannot be punished for betting live online. Most offshore betting providers either ignore, or are unaware of the IGA, and continue to offer live betting to Australian residents. As things stand, Australians are free to participate in live betting offered by international agencies, because any infringements would entail penalties for the betting operator and not the punter.
This move by bet365 is a shame for Australian punters because their online in-play betting interface is the best we’ve seen. A list of other bookmakers that offer live online betting and Australian dollar accounts can be viewed in the betting agencies section.
Tell me if it is not avaliable for Australian residents why is bet365 advertising on our local TV stations. As seen on channel 9 tonight 26/09.2012.
Hi Mandy,
bet365 is available to Australian residents, it is just that they have ceased offering LIVE ONLINE betting to adhere to local law. If you want to bet live you must now do so over the phone. Betting BEFORE the event can be done online. Let us know if you still have any questions.
Hi , I actually tried to open a account and Australia wasnt even on the list, so a spoke to a girl on the online chat and she told me we could not do it.My husband loves to just have a poker game on friday night .Will try to rejoin. Thankyou
Hi Mandy,
When bet365 ceased offering live online betting to Australians, they also ceased poker and casino games for Australians as well. The only service remaining is pre-game sports betting. There are other international services that accept Australian members for poker, however.
Ok , It’s just finding a good one is the problem.
Thanks for your help. Mandy
This is absolutely an outrageous violation, of my rite as an employed Australian citizen; to spend my hard earned money on whatever the fuck I want. And don’t tell me it’s illegal to advertise anything to me. It’s my choice wether or not I want to listen. This is another clear cut specimen of censorship and government bullshit to stop anything that makes more money than them, which isn’t already affected by some fuck off bullshit tax that the government makes a cut out of. This is why cigarettes and alcohol are legal, and marijuana is illegal?? People need to open their fucking eyes about everything we adhere to because it’s “normal” or presumed to be abnormal if your not politically correct enough. When did everyone stop asking questions about everything? And demanding fucking answers dammit!!!