Queensland is the 2nd largest state in Australia, trailing Western Australia only, and has one of the most thriving economies Down Under. And Brisbanians are no strangers to pokies and gambling by any chance.
Gambling didn’t take long to spring into this territory, with the first casino established in 1985. Horse racing and sports betting were popular over a century prior to this major milestone.
The situation is, however, different today. The Sunshine State provides online sports and horse racing betting via a state-owned platform, with no legal options for online pokies and casino fans. That’s the outcome of legislation introduced in 2001, affecting all Australian territories, including QLD.
Does this mean Oz punters can’t play real money pokies or table games? Not really. And that’s what we will be covering below, starting with a list of the best online pokies sites in Queensland:
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Is Online Gambling Legal in QLD?
All gambling activities in Queensland, including land-based and internet-based gambling, are overseen by the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR). The main activities that fall under its jurisdiction include:
- Horse racing
- Lotteries
- Sports betting
- Online casinos
- Online pokies
- Online poker
- Charitable and non-profit games
- Online skill-based games
Different acts and legislation introduced over the last three decades have accumulated total control over gambling activities in the hands of OLGR. UBET QLD Limited is a state-operated website where Queenslanders can bet on horses and sports within the Sunshine State.
Selected lotteries and skill-based games are also legal under current laws.
However, the introduction of the Interactive Gambling Player Protection Act of 1998 and the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001 restrict online casino and pokies sites from serving players in QLD and Brisbane. In effect, IGA deems all online gambling activities illegal, but it has failed to introduce fines or legal actions against offshore gambling sites catering to QLD players.
As such, there is nothing stopping Oz and Queensland residents who are over 18 from playing online pokies from home, without facing any legal danger.
Legal Gambling in Queensland
Still, residents of QLD who want to abide by the laws applying in their territory should avoid offshore gambling sites bringing 3D and progressive jackpot pokies to their desktops, laptops, and mobile devices. Instead, they can visit land-based gambling establishments in the state, including:
- The Gold Coast Jupiter Casino
- Gold Coast Integrated Resort
- The Ville Resort and Casino
- The Treasury Casino and Hotel Brisbane
- Pullman Reef Hotel Casino
- 70+ racetracks; horse racing blows off during January every year due to the Magic Millions event
- Local Tab Vendors
These establishments are monitored for safety and transparency by OLGR, which will also be responsible for regulating and licensing online casinos in Queensland when internet gaming is legalized.
Unfortunately, the situation isn’t much different in other Australian territories, so traveling across the country to play online pokies isn’t an option.
Five Best Online Casinos in Queensland
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As we stated above, there is no shortage of formidable offshore gambling sites accepting players from QLD. They are not legal per se, but the lack of oversight and action against them has created a space where they operate without disruptions or issues. That’s good news for Aussie players since they can play pokies and win real money from home without being subjected to taxes. The above applies to regulated markets like the USA, where all winnings over $600 must be reported annually.
In Queensland, the only requirement is to be over 18 years old to join any gambling sites above. Our team only lists legit sites carrying an eCuracao gaming license. We also consider their bonuses, gaming vendors, and other areas to ensure you will have a safe and fun gambling experience.
Below, you can view the highlights of some of our recommended QLD online casinos.
#1 Golden Crown Casino – new players who sign up with our exclusive Golden Crown Casino bonus code can get up to a $10,000 bonus on their first deposit. You can use all funds to enjoy 3,000+ online pokies, roulette, blackjack, and live casino games.
#2 SkyCrown Casino – this Curacao-licensed gambling site accepts players from Queensland and awards all new sign-ups with a 200% welcome bonus and 200 free spins. It is sourced by 70+ gaming vendors, setting an excellent platform for pokies enthusiasts.
#3 NatioCasino – this Dama N.V. casino site has operated for several years in QLD, attracting thousands of players to its state-of-the-art gambling site. Of course, the exclusive National Casino bonus code that awards a $50 no deposit bonus is one of its unique selling points!
#4 Snatch Casino – the latest Rabidi N.V. online casino to launch in Australia, Snatch Casino, adds a 100% bonus to your first deposit. It doubles up with free spins on your subsequent deposits, allowing you to play 5,000+ online pokies, among other excellent casino games.
#5 BitStarz Casino – is available to join and play thousands of games since the last decade and is considered the most-trusted Bitcoin casino in Australia. New QLD users who use our BitStarz no deposit bonus code can get started with 25 free spins no deposit.
How to Select QLD Casino Sites
Benchmarking online casinos is part of our day-to-day activities, and we take our job seriously. Especially with Queensland casinos, which lack official regulation and licensing from within the territory.
Cautious players can check the main factors we take into account when reviewing QLD online casinos below:
- Payment Methods: With most online banks not processing gambling transactions in Australia, we ensure the recommended casinos support PayPal, PayID, Neosurf, or Cryptocurrency gambling deposits and withdrawals.
- Gaming Vendors: RTG online pokies and RealTime Gaming casinos used to be the main software developer of Australian gambling sites, but that’s not the case today. Check out any of the listed websites, and you will find thousands of games powered by multiple companies, including NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, Konami, Aristocrat, Rival, Betsoft, Microgaming, and Nolimit City.
- Bonus Deals: There is no shortage of opportunities to gamble for free in Australia, either through free pokies bonuses on sign-up or following your first real money deposit. Check out the latest bonus codes here.
- Licensing: Since Queensland online casinos cannot apply for a local state license, we check that they are licensed by Curacao, Panama, or Costa Rica gambling authorities. These are the only legal alternatives for regulated gambling in QLD since MGA and UKGC gambling sites are not allowed to accept Oz punters.
- Customer Support: Issues can arise while gambling online, and you need some means of support for those cases. The best QLD online pokies sites provide contacts via phone, email, and live chat, accommodating all players.
- Compatibility: We would never send you to a platform where you are required to download casino software or are limited to desktop play. Mobile pokies apps, iPhone pokies, and Android pokies are all packed into a single platform with the gambling sites provided.
Knowing that all the sites listed on this page have passed the above selection process with guns blazing, you can use our links to set up an account, redeem the outlined bonuses, and play your favourite pokies.
Best QLD Online Pokies and Casino Games
So what casino games can you play online in Queensland? Anything you can imagine!
The best online casinos in Australia host games from multiple iGaming vendors, providing lobbies with thousands of games.
QLD online pokies take the most part, ranging from 3-reel classic slots to Megaways games. Progressive jackpots, free spins, multipliers, wilds, scatters, and mini-games are incorporated into the gameplay to spice things up and establish great winning opportunities. From our guides, you can check the highest paying pokies and the types of volatility in slots at QLD casino sites.
Table games is another popular category. It is an umbrella term for online roulette, poker, blackjack, baccarat, Sic Bo, and other card and table games you can find online. Keno, scratchies, and different types of lottery games are also supported, often categorized under the specialty games group. There, you will also usually spot games like Crash, Aviator, and Rocket gambling, where you watch a multiplier grow along with the prize money!
Live dealer games and live game shows are the latest trends at QLD casinos. Although these games aren’t streamed from Australian retail casinos, you can pick from a range of dealers and rooms.
Lightning Link Online Pokies QLD
Lighting Link online pokies real money have been the most popular game type at QLD casinos. These games link various pokies under the same jackpot network, and players can win them by locking all symbols on the bonus game screen.
What if we told you that you there isn’t a need to travel to play these games anymore? You can play free online pokies with this feature on Pokies.bet, like the Lock it Link Nightlife game, or visit any QLD online casino powered by Aristocrat and play 24/7.
Live QLD Casino Bonus Codes and Offers
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Brick-and-mortar casinos in Australia, and worldwide, set up loyalty schemes and rewards systems to incentivize players to visit them. These often range from free play bonuses for existing players to free dinners and hotel stays.
Although this practice used to be innovative back in the day, online casinos have taken their marketing strategies to another level. There is no shortage of free spins no deposit offers, and up to $500 no deposit bonus codes. With these, you don’t even need to commit any cash to play at a QLD casino. Moreover, pokies bonuses often match your first deposits up to a certain cap.
Needless to say, QLD online pokies bonuses are far superior to anything you will find in Queensland gambling establishments.
FAQs
Can you win real money on online pokies in Queensland?
Sure you can. As long as you sign-up and play casino pokies with real funds and end up winning, you can cash out real money. Certain restrictions might apply, like verifying your casino account and satisfying any wagering conditions, but all online casinos listed pay out real cash.
What is the minimum gambling age in QLD?
Players over 18 can play at online casinos and retail gambling establishments in Queensland.
Are gambling winnings taxable in Queensland?
When gambling at retail gambling sites or on the UBET QLD Limited betting site in Queensland, all gambling winnings are taxable at 20%. This increased from 15% this year and also extended to free bets. You won’t be subjected to any fees when playing at QLD online casinos.
What are the best online pokies in QLD?
We will not go as far as recommending a single or handful of online pokies as the best in QLD since there is a massive pool of options. Some games that have occupied the most popular sections at online casinos for nearly a decade include Starburst and Book of Dead. Mega Moolah and Age of the Gods are widely considered the best progressive games. Dead or Alive 2, Piggy Riches Megaways, and Cash Bandits 3 are some of the most popular in recent years. But the above barely scratches the surface of QLD online gambling games.
Is online gambling legal in Queensland?
Online gambling isn’t legal in QLD or Australia since the introduction of the Interactive Gambling Active of 2001. However, ACMA, the government’s online media watchdog, hasn’t taken any serious steps to stop offshore gambling sites from operating in Australian territories. Players also aren’t facing any serious precautions for gambling online from QLD.
Are QLD gambling winnings subject to tax?
No, QLD gambling winnings are tax-free, except for professional players.
- About the Author
- Affiliate Disclosure
Michael has reviewed and verified all information on this page. Having worked in the iGaming industry for over 8 years, he is the most capable person to help you navigate online casinos, pokies, and the Australian gambling landscape.
