Reforms to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth) (AML/CTF Act) took effect on 31 March 2026. The reforms in AML/CTF Act together with the new Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Rules 2025 (the Rules) marked a significant step towards a more risk-based compliance framework. AUSTRAC has warned that a purely procedural approach to compliance is not sufficient and instead emphasised that the purpose of the reforms is to help businesses better identify, assess and manage money laundering and terrorism financing risks.

There has been significant discussion regarding the Federal Government’s Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026 (Bill) over recent weeks, including at last week’s Labor Party national conference. Although it would appear that the Government will not endorse the establishment of a dedicated national gambling regulator as some members had advocated for, the Government will continue to evaluate measures designed to address the perceived harms of gambling inducements.

On 16 July 2026, the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) published its public notice inviting Expressions of Interest (EOI) for online casino gambling licences under the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026. This is stage one of a three-stage process to establish New Zealand's first regulated online casino market - the most significant shift in NZ gambling law in more than two decades.

Australia's gambling regulatory landscape in 2026 remains dynamic with relevant developments and sustained regulatory activity across multiple fronts. From recent AML/CTF reforms and heightened AUSTRAC and ACMA enforcement activity, to the introduction of a New Zealand online casino licensing regime and unresolved questions around cashless gaming, advertising restrictions and in-play betting, Australian and New Zealand operators face a year in which compliance decisions carry material commercial consequences.

This article provides a structured overview of some of the key regulatory developments impacting wagering, gaming and broader gambling businesses in 2026 - what has changed, what remains uncertain and where attention should be focused now to stay ahead of what is coming.

After close to three years of delay, political hesitation and behind‑the‑scenes compromise, the federal government has finally set out its position with respect to the “You Win Some You Lose More” inquiry. The government’s response, accompanied by detailed FAQs and draft legislation, offers the clearest indication yet of where advertising reform is likely to land.

The Online Casino Gambling Regulations 2026 (NZ) (Regulations), which come into effect on 3 July 2026, represent a significant step in the implementation of New Zealand's new online casino licensing regime.

In particular, the Regulations confirm a tightly controlled model characterised by limited advertising channels, strict controls on inducements and game design, and a multi-layered fees, levies and duties.

We have highlighted below some of the key provisions and their practical implications for prospective operators.

The Australian Government is proposing to tighten the rules around online trade promotions.

In early May the Australian Government released an exposure draft bill titled the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026 (Bill). This followed the Government’s response to the Parliamentary inquiry into online gambling harms, entitled ‘You win some, you lose more’ report (Murphy Report). While most of the Bill focuses on wagering advertising, it also introduces important changes to how online trade promotions are regulated.

In short, the changes are designed to ensure that lottery-style products cannot operate under the guise of trade promotions to avoid regulation under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA). Genuine trade promotions are not being banned, but some existing structures may no longer qualify for the current exemption under the IGA.

Depending upon structure, these changes are likely to impact any business offering subscription-based promotions and should be considered as part of broader regulatory risk management.

The Australian Government released its formal response to the parliamentary inquiry into online gambling harm on 12 May 2026, and for the first time in a generation, the regulatory landscape governing the relationship between sport and wagering is set to change fundamentally. Reforms announced on 2 April 2026 and legislated to commence from 1 January 2027 will affect every sporting code, club, venue and broadcaster in the country.

This is not a matter of watching and waiting. Organisations that begin planning now will be best placed to protect their commercial relationships, meet their compliance obligations and manage reputational risk.

On 12 May 2026, the Australian Government released its long-awaited formal response to the House of Representatives Standing Committee (Committee) inquiry into online gambling harm with significant implications for stakeholders, including wagering and lottery operators, consumers, banks, media organisations, technology providers, regulators and sporting bodies.

The Government's response addresses some of the Committee's 31 recommendations, with the Government calling on the states and territories to examine and respond to the others.

Of those addressed in the announcement, particularly in relation to reforms to online wagering, the Government has indicated its intention to introduce a package of legislative reforms to the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) commencing 1 January 2027, leaving a relatively short period for engagement and preparation. The IGA provides significant enforcement tools to the responsible regulator, the Australian Communication and Media Authority (the ACMA).

On 12 May 2026, the Australian Government released its long-awaited formal response to the House of Representatives Standing Committee (Committee) inquiry into online gambling harm with significant implications for stakeholders, including wagering and lottery operators, consumers, banks, media organisations, technology providers, regulators and sporting bodies.

The Government's response addresses some of the Committee's 31 recommendations, with the Government calling on the states and territories to examine and respond to the others.

Of those addressed in the announcement, particularly in relation to reforms to online wagering, the Government has indicated its intention to introduce a package of legislative reforms to the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) commencing 1 January 2027, leaving a relatively short period for engagement and preparation. The IGA provides significant enforcement tools to the responsible regulator, the Australian Communication and Media Authority (the ACMA).

Backing the Punt has always been where the Australian wagering and racing industry comes to have its most important conversations. In 2026, that conversation expands.

For the first time, sports betting takes its place alongside racing and wagering in the official BTP program. The change reflects where the industry has arrived, and where it’s heading. Sport and racing no longer operate in separate commercial or regulatory worlds. They share operators, they share regulators, they share customers, and increasingly, they share the same compliance challenges. Presented by Senet, Australia's leading specialist gambling law and compliance firm, BTP 2026 brings together the sector's most senior participants across all three verticals on 2 and 3 September in Melbourne.

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI, into Australia’s online gambling sector has prompted closer examination of how existing regulatory, legal and governance frameworks operate when applied to these new technologies.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority’s (ACMA) The Online Casino Gambling Bill (NZ) represents a transformative shift in New Zealand’s online gaming landscape by introducing a regulated licensing framework, a move which departs significantly from that in place in its close neighbour, Australia.  This legislation aims to close the regulatory gap between onshore and offshore operators, ensuring that New Zealanders can gamble more safely within a locally taxed and monitored environment.

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI, into Australia’s online gambling sector has prompted closer examination of how existing regulatory, legal and governance frameworks operate when applied to these new technologies.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority’s (ACMA) April 2026 report, AI and interactive gambling: sector developments report, represents the most detailed public examination to date of how licensed gambling providers are deploying AI across their operations. While the report is positioned as an evidence‑gathering exercise rather than a regulatory instrument or policy statement, it will inform the ACMA’s work and the potential implications for operators are significant.

Collectively, the findings point to an emerging regulatory inflection point: AI is no longer an operational enhancement; it is reshaping the legal risk profile of interactive gambling in Australia. This article examines the report and what it means for licensed operators from a legal and regulatory perspective.

It is clear that Australia's and New Zealand’s gambling regulatory landscape will continue to evolve at pace as 2026 progresses. From important AML/CTF reforms and heightened regulatory enforcement activity, to the imminent introduction of New Zealand’s online casino licensing regime, unresolved questions around cashless gaming and prospective advertising restrictions, operators face a year of significant change and in which compliance decisions carry material commercial consequences.

This article provides a structured overview of some of the key regulatory developments most likely to affect wagering, gaming and broader gambling businesses in 2026 - what has changed, what remains uncertain and where attention should be focused now to stay ahead of what is coming.

Australia’s AML/CTF reforms represent one of the most significant shifts in the country’s financial crime regulatory framework in recent years.

Designed to address the evolving risks of money laundering, terrorism financing, and proliferation financing, these changes will fundamentally reshape how organisations identify, manage and mitigate financial crime risk.

For existing reporting entities, the 31 March 2026 is the date when new obligations formally commence for existing reporting entities.

Operators are on notice that L&GNSW will hold them responsible for influencer advertising of their products. The regulator has identified paid and unpaid promotional partnerships, content that normalises betting behaviour or glamorises gaming products, and the use of platforms including podcasts with large youth or vulnerable audiences as practices of particular concern.

The New Zealand Online Casino Gambling Bill (Bill) is now at the Second Reading stage of the parliamentary process. If it passes this stage, it will go to a committee of the whole House, it will then be read for a third time and voted on. If the bill is passed it will progress for Royal Assent. The New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has published an updated timeline on the anticipated commencement of the Bill and the licensing process. At present, the DIA anticipates that the Bill will pass into law and commence on 1 May 2026.

Significant reforms to Australia’s AML/CTF regime will take effect from 31 March 2026, impacting all existing reporting entities. While engaging external advisors can support effective compliance, venues remain legally responsible for meeting their obligations. Selecting the right advisor requires careful consideration of expertise, methodology and approach.

Following the recent announcement that Senet has been ranked in the Chambers Asia Pacific Guide 2026, we are pleased to share that Senet has now been ranked in the Chambers Global Guide 2026 - one of the most respected independent assessments of legal and professional services expertise in the world.  These rankings are in addition to individual rankings achieved in both Guides by Julian Hoskins and Daniel Lovecek for 2026.

The UK Government has announced significant changes to gambling tax duties in an effort to raise over £1 billion per year to support ailing public finances and tax sustainability. The reforms signify a clear shift in gambling policy by the government and raise implications for consumers and online operators regarding profitability, pricing, product mix and long-term sustainability in the UK market.

New Zealand government’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon Brooke van Velden, has released the Cabinet paper and associated materials relating to the Online Casino Gambling Bill. The Cabinet paper addressed the main concern that came up during the select committee process, in which nearly 4,000 submissions advocated for community returns to be included in the Bill.

Insights from Andrew Rhodes, Chief Executive of the UK Gambling Commission, keynote at the 2025 IAGR Conference, and what his remarks on crypto adoption and regulatory risk mean for the Australian gambling sector.

Not too hot, not too cold – just right. The future of responsible gambling reforms in Australia's wagering landscape is turning into a Goldilocks tale of its own.

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has recently released its Annual Plan for 2025-26, setting out its regulatory priorities and objectives for the year ahead.

Significant reforms to Australia’s AML/CTF regime will take effect in 2026 impacting both existing reporting entities, including gaming venues, wagering service providers and casinos.

AUSTRAC, has commenced civil penalty proceedings in the Federal Court against Mount Pritchard District and Community Club (Mounties).

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission’s (VGCCC) July 2025 Industry News contains important updates and compliance reminders for gaming venues.

Hospitality and Racing NSW (and its regulatory arm, Liquor & Gaming NSW), have published their regulatory priorities for the next six months for the gambling sector (July - December 2025).

On 30 June 2025, the New Zealand Government introduced the Online Casino Gambling Bill, which marks an important step towards regulation of online casinos in the jurisdiction.

The Gambling Legislation Amendment (Pre-commitment and Carded Play) Bill 2024 (Vic) (Bill) was recently passed by the Victorian Parliament on Tuesday 27 May 2025 with no substantive changes.

The recent UK case of Durber v PPB Entertainment Limited has both Australian and International wagering operators keen to review their terms and conditions.

Raffles (also known as ‘Art Unions’) can be powerful fundraising tools for community and charitable organisations. However, before an organisation begins, it is critical that it understands the legal requirements applying to the conduct of its proposed raffle

In Australia, Customer Due Diligence (or CDD) involves taking steps to identify your customers and ensuring that your business is managing the money laundering and terrorism financing risk they may pose.

Hospitality and Racing NSW has released its Regulatory Priorities, January to June 2025 (Regulatory Priorities).

Over 640 days ago, the Federal House of Representatives Standing Committee on SocialPolicy and Legal Affairs published its report on online gambling harm in Australia, ‘You WinSome You Lose More’.

NZ Online Gaming Reforms are set to address rise of international online casinos and the safety of consumers that access their services.

New Zealand proposed legislation will allow up to 15 licensed operators to legally offer online casino games to New Zealand citizens by April 2026.

The benefits of emerging AI technologies give rise to many legal considerations and may expose businesses to risk if appropriate safeguards are not enacted.

Not all AML/CTF advisory services offer the same level of expertise or depth of analysis. Choosing the right provider can make a significant difference to the quality and effectiveness of a gaming venue, pub or hotel’s AML/CTF program.

Liquor & Gaming NSW recently completed 200+ compliance inspections of cash dispensing facilities at hotels and registered clubs. Here are their findings.

To shed light on anti-money laundering challenges and best practices for gaming venues, Senet’s Advisory and Compliance Principal, Alexandra Hoskins, sat down with Mike Barouche from the Australian Hotels Association Victoria (AHA (Vic)).

The Gambling Legislation Amendment (Pre-commitment and Carded Play) Bill 2024 (Vic) (Bill) was read in the Legislative Assembly for a second time on 27 November 2024.

We’re delighted to release the 2024 edition of Chambers and Partners Gaming Law Global Practice Guide - Gaming Law Trends and Developments.

Australia has witnessed significant enforcement actions in response to Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) non-compliance and gambling industry compliance generally.

The Tasmanian government has this week announced  a deferral of the introduction of cashless gaming in the state.

Senet is pleased to once again deliver the Australian chapter of the ICLG Comparative Legal Guide: Gambling Laws and Regulations Australia 2025.

The Gambling Legislation Amendment (Pre-commitment and Carded Play) Bill 2024 (Vic) (Bill) was read in the Legislative Assembly for a second time on 27 November 2024.

While operating multiple brands under a single wagering license offers advantages such as resource sharing and the ability to target specific customer segments, it also presents challenges…

The Australian Classification Board has recently updated its guidelines for video games featuring in-game purchases linked to elements of chance such as loot boxes.

From 29 September 2024, more stringent customer identification and pre-verification requirements applicable to WSPs will come into force across all Australian jurisdictions.

Poorly drafted and unfair contract terms and conditions can exacerbate the level of customer complaints received by operators and in turn regulatory bodies.

Each Australian state and the Australian Capital Territory has, over the last seven years, introduced tax regimes which apply to licensed wagering service providers (WSP).

AUSTRAC’s recently released Money Laundering in Australia and Terrorism Financing in Australia National Risk Assessments are important reading for gambling industry participants.

The newly constituted Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission (NTRWC) has issued a timely reminder to Northern Territory sports bookmaking licensees to review their terms and conditions.

Hospitality and Racing NSW has released its Regulatory Priorities, July to December 2024 (Regulatory Priorities).

With the 2024 Paris Olympics fast approaching and community excitement growing, businesses will look for opportunities to benefit from the profile and interest in the event.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has recently outlined its compliance priorities for 2024-25 with a number of notable focus areas for participants in the gambling sector.

Australian Government, Attorney-General's Department - Paper 5: Broader reforms to simplify, clarify and modernise the regime

In the NT, “revenue units” are used as a simple way of maintaining the real value of specified fees and charges while taking into account inflation. In the NT, fees and charges are often described as being multiples of a “revenue unit” rather than dollars.

The National Consumer Protection Framework (NCPF) outlines the requirements for activity statements which are to be provided to active wagering customers of each wagering service provider in Australia.

Part 3 of Series “I have a bookmaking licence now what?”

Before a bookmaker can legally offer a market on a particular sport, and accept bets on that sport, the bookmaker must first have in place a “product fee and integrity agreement” (also known as a “PFIA”) with the relevant sports controlling body that governs that sport in Australia (should one exist).

One of the major threats faced by B2C industries, including the wagering and sports betting industry, is credential stuffing.

Part 1 of Series: “I have a bookmaking licence now what?”

Read the full article on the AUSTRAC website.

Read the full article on the Asia Gaming Benefit LinkedIn page.

Read the full article published on the International Association of Gaming Regulators website.

From 1 July 2024, the NSW Government will introduce Responsible Gambling Officers (RGOs) in licensed venues.

Gaming machines represent a major investment and element of the offering for many clubs and pubs across Australia, and it is no surprise that they want consumers to know about their gaming machines on offer.

Ethical Leadership

Gaming Venues

Supreme Court

BETSTOP

Affiliate

Contract Laws

Gambling Harm Awareness Week

Betstop

Crown

backingthepunt

The distribution of Australian sports data into foreign jurisdictions

win some lose more

licensing and taxation of gambling activities in Australia

AFL

Tranche Il

Gambling Reform

Bree Ryan

Gambling Reform

Legal Guides

NSW Labor

Channel 7 and 9

Online Wagering

The Legal 500

From 30 March 2023, all licensed online wagering service providers and licensed bookmakers in Australia will be required to display new nationally consistent gambling messaging...

Comparative Guides

Comparative Guides

Compliance Checklist

Compliance Checklist

The Northern Territory Racing Commission (the Commission) has previously advised licensees that they should not accept and pay bets using cryptocurrency.

Cashless gaming trial

NATION-LEADING REFORMS

A new national gambling self-exclusion register (Register) is about to be launched in Australia, named ‘BetStop’.

Alexander Norrish

Gambling Law

crown

Gambling Law

ACMA

VCGLR

Wagering Operators

The Gambling Legislation Amendment (Pre-commitment and Carded Play) Bill 2024 (Vic) (Bill) was read in the Legislative Assembly for a second time on 27 November 2024.

credit cards

credit cards

Social Media

Caulfield Guineas

Launched this week in Australia, the Million Dollar Vax campaign targets small and large businesses and those in lower socio-economic circumstances and vulnerable communities...

Gambling Laws

Daniel Lovecek

Crown Royal Commission

card breaking

self-exclusion

The starting point for this discussion is that VIP rewards programs are legitimate tools to recognise and reward customer loyalty and provide a differentiated and more bespoke service to higher spending players.

It is terribly easy to avoid risks by creating cumbersome regulations and blunt barriers to entry. But without risk there is no innovation...

With the recent closure of land-based casinos, retail wagering venues and gaming venues, sign-ups to online gambling operators are increasing at a significant rate as retail customers shift to online.