If your business provides designated services, two AML/CTF obligations work closely together: knowing when to submit a suspicious matter report (SMR), and knowing how to avoid tipping off. At first glance they can feel like competing priorities. One asks you to flag concerns to AUSTRAC, while the other limits what you can say to the very customer those concerns relate to. Handled well, they are entirely compatible. Here is what matters most, and what to do next.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Read the full article on the AUSTRAC website.