When it comes to gambling trends, progressive jackpots, slot themes, and the introduction of new technologies like AR and VR are not the only ones gaining widespread adoption. In recent months, the ban on credit cards at online casinos and land-based gambling venues has become a common occurrence.

In 2023 and 2024, a rash of online gambling jurisdictions implemented a ban on credit cards, with Sweden and Brazil being the most recent countries to do so. Australia has finally decided to take action and, as of today, join this growing cadre.

 No Credit Cards at Online Casinos

Australia has been considering banning credit cards since 2022, when the Australian Medical Association (AMA) went on record claiming that the proliferation of casino games and betting posed a challenge to the “public health and mental and emotional wellbeing” of local punters, and as such, it supported banning credit-based gambling.

Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said:

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“Our ban on credit cards will help with this goal. You can’t use your credit card to place a bet for land-based gambling. Now the same rules apply for online gambling.”

The Australian House of Representatives approved an amendment to the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, bans using credit cards and other credit-based financial facilities to deposit online casino credits.

Since credit cards are already banned at land-based gambling venues, the Gambling Act amendment focuses exclusively on digital games of chance. Online gambling providers have been given a 6-month window to comply with the new law, or they will face fines of up to AU$234,750 (€144,000).

Self-Serving Exclusions Come Under Fire

While online casino players cannot deposit at their preferred gaming sites, the government has created a notable caveat that allows Australians to use credit cards to play state-approved lottery and keno games.

Kai Cantwell, CEO of Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA), said:

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“RWA and its members support the extension of this measure to all forms of gambling that have been exempted from the ban, such as lotteries and keno.”

Further adding:

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“If consumer protection measures aren’t consistent across all forms of gambling, it will incentivise vulnerable Australians to move to less-regulated types of gambling, where they are more at risk of harm.”

They maintain the position that if the goal of the credit card gambling ban is to enhance responsible gambling in Australia, it should not allow any exceptions that pose a danger to at-risk players.

With more than 22,000 Australians adding themselves to the BetStop national self-exclusion program since its inception, they feel leaving this chink in the country’s safer gambling armour will lead to compulsive gamblers shifting their spending to these less regulated products.