Is Online Gambling with PayID Legal in Australia?

Legality around online gambling in Australia is already complicated, and adding a specific payment method like PayID tends to make it look even murkier. I often see players worry that using PayID might somehow change the rules or turn a legal activity into an illegal one, which isn’t how the law actually works. To understand where PayID really fits in, you first need a clear view of how online gambling itself is treated under Australian law – and that starts with the legal status of online casinos.

The Legal Status of Online Gambling

Australia’s Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) prohibits companies from offering online casino games (slots, roulette, poker, etc.) to Australians. In other words, it’s illegal for an operator to run an online casino based in Australia or specifically target Australian customers without a license. (Currently, Australia doesn’t license online casinos, only online sports betting and lotteries.)

Crucially, the law targets the providers, not individual players. As an Australian, you are not committing an offense by playing at an online casino, even if that site is technically operating illegally under the IGA. Australian authorities focus on penalizing or blocking the operators, not punishing players for gambling.

What about using PayID? The IGA doesn’t mention payment methods like PayID specifically. It’s concerned with the act of offering and advertising interactive gambling services, not the method of payment.

PayID as a Payment Method – Any Restrictions?

PayID is simply a way to transfer money between bank accounts. There are no laws or regulations that forbid using PayID to send money to an online casino. It’s your money – you’re allowed to transfer it to whomever you want (assuming it’s not for something explicitly illegal like funding crime, which this is not).

Some key points:

• When you use PayID to deposit, the transaction often looks like a generic bank transfer. Banks aren’t flagging PayID transactions as “gambling” the way they might with a credit card charge to a betting site.
• The recent ban on credit card usage for online gambling (implemented for licensed wagering sites in 2024) does not affect PayID. That ban was specifically on credit products (like Visa/Mastercard credit cards and credit transactions via digital wallets). PayID transfers come from your bank account (debit), not a credit facility, so they’re not part of that prohibition.
• Australian banks currently do not have policies against customers using PayID for gambling transfers. (They do block credit card gambling charges and sometimes warn about POLi usage, but PayID hasn’t been a focus.)

In summary, from a payment perspective, PayID is treated like any other bank payment. There’s no special legal scrutiny on it.

So, Is It Legal to Gamble at a Casino Using PayID?

From the player’s standpoint: Yes, it’s legal for you to gamble online using PayID deposit/withdrawal method. You are not violating any Australian law by doing so.

However, remember:

• The site you’re playing on might be unlicensed (since online casinos can’t get an Aussie license). That means it’s operating from overseas. While you won’t get in trouble for playing, such sites are effectively “illegal” in Australia’s eyes.
• Because of that, the government (via ACMA, the Australian Communications and Media Authority) is actively trying to block access to many offshore casino websites and sometimes disrupt their activities. This could include ordering internet providers to block those websites. Payment-wise, they haven’t targeted PayID transfers specifically yet.
• If a casino is caught or forced out of the market, you as a player could lose access to it or your account – this is more a practical risk than a legal issue, but worth noting.

What About Licensed Betting Sites?

Licensed Australian betting sites (for sports, racing, etc.) operate legally. Some have started using PayID for fast withdrawals or deposits. In those cases, everything is above board: the gambling is legal and regulated, and PayID is just a convenient new option. For example, if a major Aussie bookie offers PayID deposits, it’s perfectly legal to use.

My focus here is mainly on online casinos, which operate in a grey area. For them, the legality question boils down to: It’s not legal for the casino to operate here, but it’s not illegal for you to play. Using PayID doesn’t change that equation at all.

Conclusion

Using PayID to gamble online in Australia is not illegal for the player. There are no specific laws against transferring money via PayID to gambling sites. The primary legal issue – the offering of online casino games – is the operator’s problem, not yours as the consumer.

That said, always gamble responsibly and be aware of the nature of the site you’re using. PayID might make transactions easy, but ensure you’re comfortable with the site’s legitimacy and the fact that it’s an overseas entity. Legal or not, you want to stick to reputable casinos to protect yourself.

In short: You can deposit and withdraw with PayID without fear of breaking the law. Just keep your eyes open and use the same caution you would with any online gambling. The law won’t come after you for using PayID, but you should still choose trusted casinos and practice safe gambling.