Australian regulators' rules on using prepayment
Introduction
In Australia, gambling is federally and regionally regulated. Prepaid cards, which have become a popular tool for replenishing accounts in online casinos and bookmakers, have come to the attention of regulators. Their use is related to issues of anonymity, prevention of money laundering (AML), protection of minors and transparency of financial transactions.
Major regulatory bodies
1. ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority)
Responsible for controlling internet gambling.
Blocks unlicensed sites that accept deposits through prepaid cards.
2. AUSTRAC (Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre)
National Financial Monitoring Agency.
Monitors the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing.
Establishes requirements for card providers and casinos in terms of AML/KYC.
3. ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission)
Controls financial products, including the issuance of prepaid cards.
Requires compliance with transparency and disclosure rules for consumers.
Key rules and restrictions
1. Restrictions on anonymity
Previously, prepaid cards could be bought without identity verification.
Since 2019, identification requirements have been introduced when buying cards above a certain limit.
The goal is to limit the use of cards in laundering schemes.
2. AML and KYC procedures
Casinos that accept prepaid cards are required to verify the identity of players with amounts above a set threshold.
Transaction data is sent to AUSTRAC.
3. Ban on unlicensed casinos
Any Australian online casinos are required to comply with local laws and cannot accept prepayments uncontrollably.
Foreign unlicensed card-accepting platforms are blocked by ACMA.
4. Top-up and transfer limits
Some types of cards have limits on the maximum transaction amount (for example, up to $100 or $500 AUD).
This reduces the risks of large illegal operations.
5. Protection of minors
Stores and online providers are required to check the age of the customer.
Using cards by children and teenagers when gambling is considered against the law.
Impact on players
Increased transparency: Players can be assured that the card has been purchased legally and is being used within the law.
Restriction of choice: part of foreign casinos, where previously it was possible to pay in advance, became unavailable.
Reduced anonymity: buying cards increasingly requires a KYC procedure.
Security is higher: thanks to ASIC and AUSTRAC rules, the risk of fraud and the use of fake cards is reduced.
Result
Australian regulators have built a control system that limits anonymity and strengthens security when using prepaid cards in gambling. The main measures are aimed at combating money laundering, protecting players and preventing the participation of minors. For Australian players, this means: you can use prepayment, but only under licensed and transparent schemes.
In Australia, gambling is federally and regionally regulated. Prepaid cards, which have become a popular tool for replenishing accounts in online casinos and bookmakers, have come to the attention of regulators. Their use is related to issues of anonymity, prevention of money laundering (AML), protection of minors and transparency of financial transactions.
Major regulatory bodies
1. ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority)
Responsible for controlling internet gambling.
Blocks unlicensed sites that accept deposits through prepaid cards.
2. AUSTRAC (Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre)
National Financial Monitoring Agency.
Monitors the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing.
Establishes requirements for card providers and casinos in terms of AML/KYC.
3. ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission)
Controls financial products, including the issuance of prepaid cards.
Requires compliance with transparency and disclosure rules for consumers.
Key rules and restrictions
1. Restrictions on anonymity
Previously, prepaid cards could be bought without identity verification.
Since 2019, identification requirements have been introduced when buying cards above a certain limit.
The goal is to limit the use of cards in laundering schemes.
2. AML and KYC procedures
Casinos that accept prepaid cards are required to verify the identity of players with amounts above a set threshold.
Transaction data is sent to AUSTRAC.
3. Ban on unlicensed casinos
Any Australian online casinos are required to comply with local laws and cannot accept prepayments uncontrollably.
Foreign unlicensed card-accepting platforms are blocked by ACMA.
4. Top-up and transfer limits
Some types of cards have limits on the maximum transaction amount (for example, up to $100 or $500 AUD).
This reduces the risks of large illegal operations.
5. Protection of minors
Stores and online providers are required to check the age of the customer.
Using cards by children and teenagers when gambling is considered against the law.
Impact on players
Increased transparency: Players can be assured that the card has been purchased legally and is being used within the law.
Restriction of choice: part of foreign casinos, where previously it was possible to pay in advance, became unavailable.
Reduced anonymity: buying cards increasingly requires a KYC procedure.
Security is higher: thanks to ASIC and AUSTRAC rules, the risk of fraud and the use of fake cards is reduced.
Result
Australian regulators have built a control system that limits anonymity and strengthens security when using prepaid cards in gambling. The main measures are aimed at combating money laundering, protecting players and preventing the participation of minors. For Australian players, this means: you can use prepayment, but only under licensed and transparent schemes.
