The Australian gambling landscape is one of the most unique in the world. While the nation has a deep-seated love for sport and a high per-capita rate of wagering, if you’ve ever tried to place a bet on a footy match while the clock is running, you’ve likely hit a wall. In most countries, “live betting” is just a click away; in Australia, it requires a phone call.
This isn’t a technical glitch—it’s the law. The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) specifically targets the way Australians interact with betting markets once an event has started. Below, we dive into the “why” and “how” of these restrictions and what they mean for the modern punter.
The Legal Foundation: The Interactive Gambling Act 2001
The primary reason online in-play betting is restricted in Australia is the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. When the Commonwealth Parliament passed this law, the goal was to minimize the potential for problem gambling by limiting “interactive” digital services.
In the eyes of Australian law, a bet placed via a website or app while a game is in progress is considered “interactive” and therefore prohibited. Interestingly, the law allows you to place a bet on the exact same market—at the exact same odds—as long as you do it over the phone with a human operator.
Why the Distinction?
The logic behind the “phone call” loophole is based on harm minimisation. The government argues that:
- Speed of Play: Online betting allows for rapid-fire wagers. A punter could theoretically place dozens of bets in a single quarter of an AFL game. The friction of having to pick up a phone and speak to a person slows down the process.
- Impulse Control: The “human element” acts as a buffer. It requires a conscious effort to dial a number and verbalize a bet, which can help prevent the impulsive “chasing of losses” that often occurs in the heat of a live match.
How In-Play Betting Works in Australia
If you want to place a live bet legally within Australian borders, you cannot simply tap a button on your smartphone. Here is the standard workflow for most major Australian bookmakers like Sportsbet, Ladbrokes, or Bet365:
1. The “Fast Code” System
Since the law prohibits “click-to-call” (where a button on a site automatically places the bet), bookies have developed a system to make the process as fast as possible within legal bounds.
- You select your live market on the app.
- The app generates a “Fast Code” or a specific reference number for that bet.
- You are prompted to call a dedicated live-betting phone number.
2. The Voice Call
When you call, you must provide your account details for verification. You then read out your Fast Code to the operator. The operator will confirm the current odds (as they change by the second in live sports) and the stake. Once you verbally agree, the bet is placed.
3. Racing vs. Sports: The Exception
It is important to note that horse racing, harness racing, and greyhound racing are largely exempt from these specific “in-play” restrictions. You can continue to place bets via an app after a race has “jumped” (started) for a short window, provided the bookmaker offers the market. The IGA restrictions primarily target sporting events like cricket, tennis, and football.
The Controversy: Why Bookmakers Want Change
The Australian wagering industry has long lobbied for the removal of these restrictions. Their arguments usually center on two points:
- Global Competition: Offshore, unlicensed betting sites often ignore Australian laws and offer online in-play betting to Australians. This drives revenue away from tax-paying, licensed Australian businesses and into the hands of unregulated operators where consumer protections are non-existent.
- Technological Irony: Many argue that in 2025, the distinction between a data-driven app and a data-driven VoIP phone call is purely cosmetic.
Despite this, the Australian government has remained firm, even strengthening the IGA in 2017 to close “click-to-call” loopholes that some bookmakers tried to implement.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it illegal for me to place an in-play bet online?
No. The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 applies to the operators, not the individual punter. It is illegal for a bookmaker to offer the service, but an Australian citizen is not committing a crime by using an offshore site—though doing so is highly risky as you lose all Australian consumer legal protections.
2. Why can I bet on horse racing live but not the NRL?
Racing is governed by different historical regulations and is seen as a “parimutuel” or traditional wagering activity that doesn’t carry the same “interactive” stigma as rapid-fire sports betting markets (like “next ball” in cricket).
3. What is “Click-to-Call” and is it legal?
“Click-to-call” was a feature where an app would use your phone’s microphone to “confirm” a bet via voice recognition without a human operator. The Australian government explicitly banned this in 2017, insisting that a live human-to-human conversation must take place for a live bet to be legal.
4. Are there any sports where I can bet live online?
Generally, no. For all major sporting events (AFL, NRL, Soccer, Tennis), you must use the telephone service. Some very specific exceptions might exist for “non-sporting” events like election results or awards ceremonies, but these are rare.
5. Why do the odds change while I’m on the phone?
Live sports markets are volatile. By the time you dial the number and reach an operator, a goal may have been scored or a wicket taken. The operator is legally required to give you the current odds at the moment the bet is processed, not the odds you saw on the screen 30 seconds prior.
6. Can I use a VPN to bypass these restrictions?
While some punters use VPNs to access international versions of betting sites, most licensed Australian bookmakers have sophisticated geo-blocking and account-verification systems that will detect this and likely freeze your account.
7. Does the restriction apply to “Cash Out” features?
No. You can generally “Cash Out” an existing bet via an app while a game is live. This is because Cashing Out is considered the settlement of a pre-existing bet, not the placement of a new “interactive” wager.
8. What is the minimum bet for live phone betting?
Because of the labor costs associated with staffing phone lines, many Australian bookmakers set higher minimum stakes for live bets (often $5 to $20) compared to the $0.01 or $0.50 minimums found on their apps.
9. Will the laws change in 2025 or 2026?
Current trends in Australian regulation (like the 2025 reforms for “BetStop” and mandatory loss displays) suggest the government is leaning toward tighter restrictions on gambling rather than loosening them. It is unlikely that online in-play betting will be legalized soon.
10. How do I know if a site is legally allowed to take my live bet?
If the site asks you to call a 1800 or 1300 number to place a bet during a game, they are likely a licensed Australian provider following the law. If they allow you to “one-tap” bet while the game is live, they are likely an unlicensed offshore operator.
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