Queensland (Australia): gambling regulation and licensing

Queensland regulates gambling through the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR), part of the Department of Justice, while the Queensland Revenue Office collects betting tax. Online, federal law sets the limits: the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 bans online casino games, slots, poker and in-play sports betting across Australia, so Queensland has no licensed online casino even though its own Interactive Gambling (Player Protection) Act 1998 allows for one. Online betting on racing and sport is legal through Australian-licensed bookmakers. Within Queensland, UBET QLD Limited (TAB) holds exclusive race and sports wagering licences, and no new applications will be considered until 30 June 2044. Most online bookmakers used by Queenslanders are therefore licensed in other states and territories. All of them pay Queensland betting tax of 20% on net wagering revenue from Queensland customers above $300,000 a year, with free bets counted in the base. They must also follow Queensland rules that ban sign-up and referral inducements, require free bet winnings to be withdrawable, and need consent before direct marketing. Golden Casket (The Lott) is the sole lottery licensee, and Keno (QLD) holds the only keno licence. Four casinos operate, two of them run by The Star, which remains under a special manager. The suspension of The Star Gold Coast licence has been deferred again, to 31 March 2027, and Nicholas Weeks remains special manager to the same date. Queenslanders spent A$6.84 billion on gambling in 2024-25, including A$3.77 billion on hotel and club gaming machines and A$1.53 billion on wagering. The federal advertising and inducement reforms take effect on 1 January 2027, and the government announced on 23 September 2026 that the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission will be merged into Racing Queensland.

Regulator

Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR)

Regulator type

Sub-national body

Headline tax

20% GGR

Licence required

Yes

Minimum age

18+

Tax base

Betting tax is charged on taxable wagering revenue: a betting operator's total wagering revenue from bets made by people located in Queensland less eligible payments (winnings), above an annual threshold of $300,000. Free bets are bets, and their free component counts in the amount of the bet (Betting Tax Act 2018, ss. 6, 7 and 29). Casino tax is a percentage of casino gross revenue set by each casino agreement; gaming machines pay gaming machine tax and a health services levy at rates prescribed by regulation.

Built from the record on this page, last verified 21 Oct 2026. The Licensing and Taxation sections carry the full detail and sources.

Licence required

Yes

Application window

Closed

Local establishment required

Not yet verified

Local server required

Not yet verified

Active licences

10 (as of 23 Sept 2026)

Notable licensees

UBET QLD Limited (TAB), Golden Casket Lottery Corporation Limited (The Lott), Keno (QLD) Pty Ltd, Destination Brisbane Consortium Integrated Resort Operations Pty Ltd (The Star Brisbane), The Star Entertainment QLD Custodian Pty Ltd (The Star Gold Coast)

Certification requirements

Gaming, lottery, keno and wagering equipment and systems must be evaluated and approved by OLGR; interactive games need ministerial approval before being introduced in Queensland.

Barriers to entry

Queensland wagering licences are exclusive to UBET QLD Limited until 30 June 2044, so online bookmakers serve Queenslanders under licences from other states and territories; most of the 219 entries on the ACMA register are licensed in Victoria, New South Wales or the Northern Territory. Ten entries on the ACMA register are licensed in Queensland: TAB (QLD) by OLGR and nine bookmakers by the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission. Every operator taking Queensland bets pays the 20% betting tax and must follow the Queensland inducement rules.

Headline GGR tax

20% GGR

Effective date

Not yet verified

Withholding mechanism

Registered betting operators self-assess and lodge monthly returns and payments by the 21st of each month, with an annual return due on 21 July.

Tax base

Betting tax is charged on taxable wagering revenue: a betting operator's total wagering revenue from bets made by people located in Queensland less eligible payments (winnings), above an annual threshold of $300,000. Free bets are bets, and their free component counts in the amount of the bet (Betting Tax Act 2018, ss. 6, 7 and 29). Casino tax is a percentage of casino gross revenue set by each casino agreement; gaming machines pay gaming machine tax and a health services levy at rates prescribed by regulation.

Minimum age

18+

National self-exclusion

BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register (mandatory)

AML regime

Casinos, gaming machine venues and wagering providers are reporting entities under the federal AML/CTF regime supervised by AUSTRAC. Gaming machine licensees must adopt an AML/CTF program, enrol with AUSTRAC and lodge annual compliance reports; simplified AML/CTF rules for gaming and wagering took effect on 31 March 2026. Queensland casinos must use carded play and restrict cash for certain games under the 2024 reforms.

AML supervisor

AUSTRAC

Deposit limits

Licensed online wagering providers must offer a voluntary opt-out pre-commitment scheme (National Framework measure 6).

Session limits

Casinos must operate mandatory pre-commitment, time limits and enforced breaks (Casino Control Act 1982 as amended in 2024). OLGR worked with The Star on revised gaming machine controls, following the Gotterson review, so that patrons take a 15-minute break after three hours of play and are prevented from gambling for 12 hours in any 24-hour period.

KYC requirements

Licensed online wagering providers must verify customers' identity and age under the National Consumer Protection Framework (measure 3). Wagering licensees must not accept a bet from a minor or let a minor open a betting account (Wagering Act 1998), and minors may not be in a casino during its hours of operation (Casino Control Act 1982).

Stake limits

Not yet verified

Mandatory player messaging

Monthly activity statements and consistent gambling risk messaging for licensed online wagering (National Framework measures 7 and 8). Queensland venues must display gambling help and odds signage under the Queensland responsible gambling code of practice.

Reporting obligations

Casino, keno, lottery and wagering licensees file quarterly reports to OLGR; betting operators lodge monthly betting tax returns with the Queensland Revenue Office.

Game content restrictions

Online casino games, slots, poker and in-play betting on sport are prohibited nationally. Queensland venue self-exclusion and venue-initiated exclusion apply across clubs, hotels, casinos and wagering venues, with more than 29,000 active exclusions in December 2025; since 30 September 2024 casinos must share exclusion details with each other.

Advertising permitted

Yes

Watershed

Broadcast codes bar gambling ads and odds promotion from 5 minutes before until 5 minutes after live sport between 5am and 8.30pm. The federal reforms commencing on 1 January 2027 add a statutory ban on wagering advertising during live sport.

Affiliate rules

Queensland bans benefits for referring another person to open an online wagering account. From 1 January 2027 federal law bans commissions to staff or affiliates based on customer activity.

Sponsorship rules

Incidental references such as venue signage and player uniforms are currently exempt from the live sport broadcast rules. From 1 January 2027 wagering advertising in sports venues is restricted by federal law. The Queensland Government itself partners with Queensland Rugby League and the Brisbane Heat on the Forget the bet. Enjoy the game. harm campaign.

Social media rules

From 1 January 2027 the federal reforms extend wagering advertising restrictions to online services and add a national opt-out register.

Bonus advertising rules

A free bet may be offered to a Queensland customer only if payouts from it can be withdrawn at any time (Wagering Act 1998, s. 228C; Interactive Gambling (Player Protection) Act 1998, s. 166C). From 1 January 2027 inducements may not be direct-marketed to accounts less than 14 days old, to people who left BetStop in the previous three months or to at-risk customers.

Mandatory warnings

Online wagering advertising must carry consistent gambling risk messaging under the National Framework (measure 8), and Queensland gambling venues must display gambling help signage.

Penalties for breach

Queensland inducement, free bet and direct marketing offences carry a maximum of 200 penalty units for a corporation and 20 for an individual. The ACMA enforces the federal rules; complaints about broadcast code breaches go to the broadcaster first.

Credit card ban

Yes

Crypto stance

Prohibited

Payment blocking regime

Since 11 June 2024 online and telephone wagering providers, including on-course bookmakers, may not accept credit cards, funds linked to a credit card (including digital wallets) or digital currency; providing credit, or helping customers get credit from third parties such as payday lenders, is illegal. The ban does not apply to lotteries.

Withdrawal timeframe rules

Payouts from a free bet must be withdrawable at any time (Wagering Act 1998, s. 228C).

ISP blocking

Not yet verified

DNS blocking

Not yet verified

Payment blocking

Not yet verified

App store takedowns

Not yet verified

Administrative penalties

Warnings, infringement notices, disciplinary action and prosecutions by OLGR; for casinos, fines of up to $100 million, appointment of a special manager, and suspension or cancellation of the licence. In July to December 2025 OLGR took 132 gaming and 5 casino enforcement actions, including 3 gaming prosecutions.

Criminal penalties

Queensland inducement, free bet and direct marketing offences: up to 200 penalty units for a corporation. Offering prohibited or unlicensed online gambling services to people in Australia is a federal offence under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (Cth).

Operator liability

Every betting operator taking bets from people located in Queensland must identify the customer's location (Betting Tax Act 2018, s. 22) and is subject to Queensland betting tax and inducement rules wherever it is licensed. Offshore operators without an Australian licence are pursued federally by the ACMA.

Figures on this record are drawn from official regulator data.

Online GGR

Not yet verified

Reporting year

2025

Licensed operators

10

1. 1 Jul 2014

   Thirty-year exclusivity period for UBET's race and sports wagering licences begins

2. 1 Oct 2018

   Betting Tax Act 2018 commences, taxing bets made from Queensland

3. 9 Dec 2022

   Disciplinary action against The Star: fines, a special manager and a deferred licence suspension

4. 11 Jun 2024

   Federal ban on credit cards and digital currency for online wagering takes effect

5. 29 Aug 2024

   The Star Brisbane opens at Queen's Wharf, four days after Treasury Brisbane closes

6. 30 Sept 2024

   Casinos must notify each other of the people they exclude

7. 25 Sept 2025

   Suspension of The Star Gold Coast licence deferred to 30 September 2026

8. 21 Nov 2025

   Bally's Corporation and Investment Holdings found suitable and given approval to convert debt into equity in The Star

9. 14 May 2026

   Gambling Harm Action Plan 2026 to 28 launched with more than $17 million a year for support services

10. 23 Sept 2026

    Government announces the amalgamation of Racing Queensland and the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission

11. 24 Sept 2026

    Suspension of The Star Gold Coast licence deferred again, to 31 March 2027, and the special manager's appointment extended to the same date

12. 1 Jan 2027

    Most federal Gambling Reform Act 2026 measures commence

13. 31 Mar 2027

    Deferred suspension of The Star Gold Coast licence and the special manager's appointment due to end

The Star Gold Coast licence suspension is deferred, and the special manager appointed, to 31 March 2027, when the government must decide again. The federal Gambling Reform Act 2026 takes effect on 1 January 2027, adding national inducement, advertising and affiliate commission rules on top of Queensland's own inducement bans. The amalgamation of the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission into Racing Queensland, announced on 23 September 2026, will move bookmaker licensing, and no bill to implement it had been introduced by 14 October 2026. OLGR is delivering the Gambling Harm Action Plan 2026 to 28.

Who regulates gambling in Queensland?

The Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation, within the Department of Justice, licenses casinos, gaming machines, wagering, lotteries and keno. The Queensland Revenue Office collects betting tax, and the federal ACMA enforces the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 for online gambling.

Can online bookmakers accept bets from people in Queensland?

Yes, if they hold an Australian state or territory licence. UBET QLD Limited (TAB) holds the exclusive Queensland race and sports wagering licences until 30 June 2044, so most online bookmakers serving Queenslanders are licensed elsewhere. Online in-play betting on sport is prohibited nationally.

What is the betting tax in Queensland?

20% of taxable wagering revenue from bets made by people located in Queensland, above an annual threshold of $300,000. The rate is 15% plus a 5% racing levy rate, and free bets count in the taxable amount.

Is online casino legal in Queensland?

No. The federal Interactive Gambling Act 2001 prohibits online casino games, slots and poker for customers in Australia. Queensland law provides for an interactive gambling licence, but no licence is held.

What bonus and marketing rules apply to Queensland customers?

Operators may not offer benefits to open an account, refer someone or keep an account open, payouts from free bets must be withdrawable at any time, and direct marketing needs express consent that can be easily withdrawn. From 1 January 2027 federal law also restricts inducements to new, recently self-excluded and at-risk customers.

What is the status of The Star's Queensland casinos?

Both are open, and The Star remains under the oversight of a special manager until 31 March 2027. The 90-day suspension of the Gold Coast licence imposed in 2022 has been deferred several times, most recently on 24 September 2026 to 31 March 2027.

How much does a gambling licence cost in Queensland?

For the Interactive gambling licence (Interactive Gambling (Player Protection) Act 1998), the application fee is A$22,180 (as of 1 Jul 2022). For the Lottery licence (Lotteries Act 1997), the application fee is A$22,180 (as of 1 Jul 2022). The Licensing section lists all 6 licence types recorded for Queensland. Last verified 21 Oct 2026.

• Australia
• New South Wales (Australia)
• Victoria (Australia)
• Northern Territory (Australia)
• South Australia (Australia)

Source tiers. Tier 1: the law, official gazette, licence register or regulator itself. Tier 2: other official sources such as ministries, parliaments, courts and statistics agencies. Only tier 1 and tier 2 sources can support a fact on their own.

1. Gaming: licensing, compliance and regulation in Queensland

   Business Queensland (Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation)

   Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
2. Wagering licensing

   Business Queensland (Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation)

   Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 31 Mar 2026
3. Interactive gambling licensing (fees as at 1 July 2022; lottery tax rates)

   Business Queensland (Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation)

   Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 1 Jul 2026
4. Lotteries licensing

   Business Queensland (Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation)

   Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 31 Mar 2026
5. Keno licensing

   Business Queensland (Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation)

   Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 31 Mar 2026
6. Casino licensing

   Business Queensland (Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation)

   Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 16 Sept 2025
7. Electronic gaming machines: licensing

   Business Queensland (Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation)

   Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
8. Gambling harm minimisation (including the Gambling harm action plan 2026 to 28)

   Business Queensland (Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation)

   Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 27 Aug 2026
9. Gambling-related exclusions

   Business Queensland (Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation)

   Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
10. Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing program for gaming licensees

    Business Queensland (Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation)

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 19 Mar 2026
11. Structure of OLGR

    Queensland Department of Justice (Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation)

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
12. Laws and policies administered by OLGR

    Queensland Department of Justice (Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation)

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
13. How casinos are regulated (including the March 2024 Casino Control Act reforms)

    Queensland Department of Justice (Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation)

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
14. Casino reviews and prosecutions

    Queensland Department of Justice (Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation)

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 25 Sept 2025
15. Gambling research and statistics (EGM and site counts to December 2025)

    Queensland Department of Justice (Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation)

    Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026
16. Licensing and compliance summary, July to December 2025

    Queensland Government Publications Portal (Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation)

    Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 14 May 2026
17. OLGR Regulator Performance Report 2024-25

    Queensland Government Publications Portal (Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation)

    Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 18 Dec 2025
18. Betting tax rate and threshold

    Queensland Revenue Office

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 27 Apr 2026
19. Betting tax (registration, returns and frequently asked questions)

    Queensland Revenue Office

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
20. Betting Tax Act 2018 (Qld), including ss. 2, 6, 7, 22 and 29 and schedule 1 (annual threshold amount, taxing rate, racing levy rate)

    Queensland Legislation (Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel)

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
21. Wagering Act 1998 (Qld), including s. 4 (exclusivity period), ss. 210 and 211 (advertising) and part 11, division 5 (wagering inducements and direct marketing)

    Queensland Legislation (Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel)

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
22. Interactive Gambling (Player Protection) Act 1998 (Qld), including part 7, division 15A (ss. 166A to 166E, interactive gambling inducements and direct marketing)

    Queensland Legislation (Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel)

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
23. Casino Control Act 1982 (Qld), including part 5 (supervision levy and casino tax), s. 72A (advertising) and part 6, division 3 (pre-commitment systems)

    Queensland Legislation (Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel)

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
24. Gaming Machine Act 1991 (Qld), including part 9, division 3 (health services levy)

    Queensland Legislation (Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel)

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
25. Lotteries Act 1997 (Qld)

    Queensland Legislation (Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel)

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
26. Keno Act 1996 (Qld)

    Queensland Legislation (Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel)

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
27. The Star Gold Coast licence suspension deferred

    Queensland Government Ministerial Media Statements

    Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 25 Sept 2025
28. Statement from the Attorney-General (suitability of Bally's Corporation and Investment Holdings)

    Queensland Government Ministerial Media Statements

    Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 21 Nov 2025
29. Racing governance to be streamlined in Queensland

    Queensland Government Ministerial Media Statements

    Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 23 Sept 2026
30. Crisafulli Government acts to prevent gambling harm (Gambling Harm Action Plan 2026-28)

    Queensland Government Ministerial Media Statements

    Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 14 May 2026
31. Australian Gambling Statistics, 41st edition, 1999-00 to 2024-25, summary tables

    Queensland Government Statistician's Office, Queensland Treasury

    Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 11 Aug 2026
32. Australian Gambling Statistics, 41st edition, explanatory notes (section 3.3, Queensland)

    Queensland Government Statistician's Office, Queensland Treasury

    Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 11 Aug 2026
33. Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (Cth), compilation of 14 October 2024

    Federal Register of Legislation (Australia)

    The previous record linked C2004A00885, which is the General Insurance Reform Act 2001; corrected to the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (C2004A00851).

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 11 Jul 2001
34. Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Act 2026 (No. 72, 2026), as made

    Federal Register of Legislation (Australia)

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 26 Aug 2026
35. About the Interactive Gambling Act, including changes to the Act in 2026

    Australian Communications and Media Authority

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 21 Aug 2026
36. Check if a gambling operator is legal: register of licensed interactive gambling providers (219 entries; CSV export)

    Australian Communications and Media Authority

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
37. Credit ban

    Australian Communications and Media Authority

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 28 May 2024
38. BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register

    Australian Communications and Media Authority

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
39. Gambling ads during live sport on broadcast TV and radio

    Australian Communications and Media Authority

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 28 Mar 2025
40. Gambling Reforms 2026

    Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
41. Gambling reforms: National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Wagering, measures 1 to 10

    Department of Social Services

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 13 May 2026
42. The Star Gold Coast licence suspension deferred to 2027 (ministerial media statement, Attorney-General Deb Frecklington)

    Queensland Government

    Tier 1Accessed 14 Oct 2026Published 24 Sept 2026