SECTORS
Bingo
Our Bingo law specialists support operators to comply with legal and regulatory requirements in the jurisdiction they operate in.
Bingo is a popular offering for community and charitable organisations at venues across Australia.
Bingo enjoys popularity in physical locations (clubs and community centres) across Australia where it is conducted for the purpose of charitable fundraising. However, commercial bingo operators are also allowed to support these operations in certain jurisdictions. Legal and regulatory requirements differ between the states and territories, including rules on prize values, allowable expenses, and licence requirements.
Online bingo is not permitted under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (Cth) (IGA). The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) enforces federal interactive gambling laws, with powers to instigate civil proceedings, notify border protection agencies to block travel by directors of illegal offshore operations, and liaise with foreign regulators to stop alleged offenders.
Get the right legal and regulatory advice to operate Bingo
Our bingo lawyers have a thorough understanding of the legal, regulatory, compliance and operational challenges that our clients face in the bingo sector. We work closely with industry participants when navigating compliance and licensing processes.
Our team of specialists advise in relation to:
Bingo permit applications
Regulatory advice
Terms and conditions
Advertising and marketing
Compliance frameworks obligations registers
Policies and procedures
Staff training
Gambling compliance training
Through the Senet Compliance Academy, we offer comprehensive gambling compliance training, ensuring your staff remain compliant with Australia’s legal and regulatory standards. Our courses are designed to help businesses cultivate a compliance culture, protect against financial crime and reduce gambling-related harm.
Get in touch for a complete range of gambling law and advisory services
FAQ
Bingo Knowledge
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Online bingo is prohibited at a federal level.
Bingo, which can be played in venues in connection with fundraising for community and charitable organisations, is regulated by the state and territory gambling regulators. Under the the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (Cth), Bingo is prohibited from being offered online in Australia.
Laws differ between the states and territories regarding bingo. If the gross proceeds are below a certain threshold, then in most states and territories no licence is required to offer bingo.
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Bingo is generally regarded as minor gaming and may be conducted for fundraising or charitable purposes, typically by a community or other not-for-profit organisation. Commercial operators may also support bingo operations in some jurisdictions and charge a fee for doing so.
Any permit required for bingo is generally subject to very basic restrictions (usually in relation to approved rules). Bingo is considered low risk from a responsible gambling perspective, although bingo operators have recently been the subject of a detailed review by the Victorian gambling regulator, the the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC).
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Bingo is generally regarded as minor gaming and may be conducted for fundraising or charitable purposes, typically by a community or other not-for-profit organisation, but only in a physical environment and not online. A state or territory licence is required to support bingo operations for commercial return.
Under the Interactive Gabling Act, online bingo is an unlawful form of online gambling and cannot be offered.