Online Pokies Melbourne, Victoria

Legal Status of Online Gambling in Victoria

In Victoria, online gambling is legal as long as the operator is properly licensed in a state or territory in Australia. The Interactive Gambling Act of 2001 regulates online gambling throughout Australia and prohibits unlicensed operators from offering their services to Australian residents.

This means that any online gambling operator that wants to offer its services to Victorians must have a valid licence from the government. The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) is the regulator for gambling activities.

The VCGLR issues licences to online gambling operators and enforces compliance with regulations and standards. It requires operators to adhere to strict responsible gambling requirements, including providing information about gambling risks and offering self-exclusion options.

💡It is also worth noting that the legality of online gambling extends to certain forms of gambling only. For instance, online sports betting and lotteries are legal, while online casinos and poker are not. However, this restriction only applies to the provision of services within Australia.

Victorians can access offshore gambling sites that offer online casinos and poker. In fact, many Melbourne casinos are online, but they aren’t regulated in Australia. These online casinos may be regulated in a different country and it is important to confirm they are a legit place to bet before signing up.

Key Facts & Figures About Gambling Activities in Victoria

Victoria is one of Australia’s most prominent gambling states, with a significant portion of the state’s revenue generated from gambling activities. It’s no secret that Victorians love a punt, and we’ve found some of the most interesting facts related to the state. Here are some key facts and figures that you should know:

• According to the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR), the state’s gambling industry generated $1.4 billion in revenue from electronic gaming machines alone in the 2023-2024 financial year.
• Over 25,000 gaming machines are in Victoria, and they are found in various venues such as pubs, clubs, and casinos.
• The second most popular form of gambling in Victoria is sports betting, with 72% of sports betting conducted online in 2018.
• Horse racing is also a popular form of gambling in Victoria, with the industry generating $253 million in revenue in the same period.
• The VCGLR has introduced various measures to address problem gambling, including mandatory pre-commitment for gaming machines, self-exclusion programs, and a ban on ATMs in gaming venues.
• Victoria also has a voluntary code of conduct for sports betting operators, which aims to promote responsible gambling practices and protect vulnerable individuals.
• The Victorian Government has a responsible gambling strategy that focuses on harm minimisation, prevention and early intervention, with a particular focus on reducing the harm caused by gaming machines.

Best Online Pokies Victoria

When it comes to online casinos and pokies in Victoria, not all are created equal. There are certainly some that stand out from the crowd. If you’re looking for the best online pokies in Melbourne for real money, then we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to learn more about three of the best going around at the moment.

How We Rate an Online Casino in Melbourne

To be considered one of the best online casinos in Melbourne, the casino needs to excel in multiple areas. Unless it passed all the areas we specifically checked, we would never recommend an online casino. This section lists some of the most critical areas we look into when reviewing online casinos.

💡Our team updates the casino reviews as often as possible. However, always read the casino terms and conditions before playing. Trust our expertise but be cautious anyway.

Offline Gaming Melbourne: Legality and Regulators

When it comes to the legality of gambling within Victoria, you are allowed to access and use interactive gambling services. It is not an offence or illegal to place online sports bets or horse racing bets, for example. Companies based in Australia are also allowed to offer their gambling services to gamblers which are located within Australia.

This is made possible and is regulated by the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001 which was passed by the government and since 2001 there have been a handful of changes to the Act. The laws around gambling within Victoria are quite strict and there are significant penalties for those who are found to have broken the rules.

Most Popular Gambling Activities & Land-Based Casinos in Melbourne

If you’re looking for a place to play pokies in Melbourne, you simply cannot go past the Crown Melbourne Casino. The Crown Melbourne Casino is more than a casino and there is so much to see and do there. There are hotels, spas, restaurants, shopping, bars and so much more. So, even if you don’t want to spend too much time gambling, there’s still a lot of other activities.

The casino has now turned 30 and there are heaps of jackpots and rewards available. The jackpots, especially those at the pokies machines are always very enticing. Customers can also take advantage of Crown Rewards, which means you can be rewarded when discovering all that the Crown empire has to offer.

On top of this, the casino has introduced Crown PlaySafe and members of the team are available 24/7 for customers. They provide confidential support and work to ensure everyone’s gambling experience is a positive one. You can reach the Crown PlaySafe team via email or phone.

Best Software Providers for Online Pokies Victoria

Software providers are the driving force behind many online gambling sites. These casino providers typically rely on software providers to develop and manage all of their games, and they all come with their own specific bonuses, guidelines, and community. Here are some of the best software developers currently on the market:

• Aristocrat. Aristocrat is a leading global gaming company and if you enjoy playing pokies, you probably have already seen some of their work without even knowing it. They have over 70 years’ worth of gaming and content creation experience with over 8,500 team members.
• IGT. This software development company is experienced in this industry and a lot of their games can be played both online and offline. They have an offering of licensed content from the likes of CSI, Wheel of Fortune and Family Guy.
• NetEnt. This software development company has an enormous collection of table games, live dealer games and pokies in a wide variety of genres and themes. You will find their games featured in a lot of online casinos.
• BetSoft. This software development company specialises in 3D games with impressive graphics and a variety of different themes. It is important to note that all of their games are compatible with both mobile and desktop devices.
• WMS. This software development company features a lot of licensed pokies from franchises and celebrities such as Star Trek, Bruce Lee and The Wizard of Oz. You are in for a memorable experience, especially given the fact that before going online, they specialised in offline casinos.
• Evolution Gaming. This software development company has an impressive collection of live dealer games and features mobile-friendly adaptive technology. They have dealers from across the world who speak multiple languages, making them the perfect choice for anyone looking to have a more personalised experience.
• Microgaming. This software development company has created a lot of progressive jackpot games in the past and is independently audited which helps it ensure that each game has random results. They have an enormous library of games, even featuring official licences.
• Real Time Gaming. This software development company boasts a huge library of games. They offer over seven variants of blackjack and 10 variants of video poker and each of their games is mobile-friendly.
• Playtech. This software development company offers a wide variety of licensed pokies. If you are a fan of licensed content, specifically when it comes to the Marvel Universe, you will get a kick out of everything they can provide. They even have live dealer games and are considered a leading development studio within their industry.

Popular Casino Games in Melbourne

When it comes to a casino online in Victoria, there are specific games that hold a special place in Victoria’s hearts. From table games to electronic gaming machines and everything in between, we go through some of the most popular casino games in Melbourne.

Blackjack

Blackjack, also known as 21, is a popular casino table card game that involves players trying to get the value of their cards as close as possible to 21, without going over. If you are closer to 21 than the dealer, you win. Some of the most popular variations of blackjack include:

• Lucky Lucky Blackjack
• Suit Em Up Blackjack
• Twenty-One Three Blackjack
• Lucky Ladies Blackjack

Roulette

Roulette is more about chance than skill and involves choosing which slot you think the ball will land on the wheel. The options are from zero (or double zero) to 36 and you can make several different types of bets in Roulette. Some unique variations of roulette include:

• Premier Diamond Edition
• Euro Gold
• Spingo
• Multi Wheel
• European Roulette
• Euro Roulette Gold

Baccarat

Baccarat is another popular card game played at casinos and it involves comparing the hand you have received to the hand the banker has received. Whoever has the highest score wins that round of play. Some popular versions of baccarat include:

• Baccarat Control Squeeze
• Baccarat Professional Series
• Baccarat First Person
• Salon Private Baccarat 2

Poker

Poker can be quite interactive as you are not playing against a dealer, you are up against other players. The dealer draws each player two cards (face down) and then players can choose if they want to fold or keep playing in that round. Some common versions of poker include:

• Jacks or Better Poker
• Deuces Wild Poker
• Bonus Poker Deluxe
• Double Joker Poker
• Aces & Faces Poker

Keno

Keno is another popular game and is similar to that of a lottery. Each game sees 20 numbers from one to 80 randomly drawn and if you have matched with a certain amount of numbers for the game you are playing, you’ll win a prize. The main types of Keno include:

• Keno Lab
• Keno Kick Off
• Jackpot Keno

Online Pokies

Online pokies are also very popular in Melbourne (so much so that we have even created a more detailed section dedicated to it below). Online pokies come in a range of themes, rules and jackpots. Some popular online pokies include:

• Elvis Frog In Vegas
• Sun of Egypt
• Bank Robbers
• Gunspinner
• Wolf Gold
• Sheriff of Nottingham

Popular Online Pokies Melbourne

We mentioned in the section above that online pokies are quite popular. We’ve found some more specific games that have a high amount of players and explain more about what makes them so enjoyable.

• Bubble Bubble. This Halloween-themed game features a bubbly witch who can cast spells to turn symbols wild and award free spins. The game has five reels, three rows and 50 paylines.
• Cash Bandits. This game is set in a bank vault and features a group of thieves trying to crack the safe. The game has five reels, three rows, and 25 paylines. It also includes a bonus game where players can win bonus spins and multipliers.
• Achilles. This game is based on the famous warrior of Greek mythology and features symbols such as swords, shields and a Trojan horse. The game has five reels, three rows and 20 paylines. It also includes a free spins bonus round.
• Aladdin’s Wishes. It is based on the classic tale of Aladdin and features symbols such as magic lamps, flying carpets and treasure chests. The game has five reels, three rows, and 20 paylines. It also includes a bonus round where players can win free spins and multipliers.
• Count Spectacular. This RTG game features a vampire theme and includes symbols such as bats, coffins and garlic. The game has five reels, three rows and 25 paylines. It also includes two different bonus features. One where players can win free spins and another where players can trigger a respin feature.

Payment Methods for Melbourne Casino Online

For Victorians, there are a few different payment methods available at online casinos. The online casino you are with must have a wide range of methods available, so you can use the one that is most suited to you, making deposits and withdrawals with zero issues. Some of the more popular banking methods include:

• Bank Cards: Visa, Mastercard, Maestro and Amex.
• Bank Transfers: POLi, BPAY and PayID.
• E-Wallets: PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, and Neteller.
• Prepaid Cards: Paysafecard, Flexepin, and NeoSurf.
• Cryptocurrency: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin and Litecoin.

Responsible Gambling in Melbourne

If you are concerned about problem gambling in Melbourne, several organisations can offer assistance. A few in particular include; the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation (VRGF), Gamblers Anonymous and Turning Point.

On top of this, Gambler’s Help is available to provide free and confidential advice for you or your loved ones. They have a lot of helpful resources on their website, including stories from other Australians who have faced gambling harm. You can call them on 1800 858 858 or get online support on their website.

Pick Top Casinos in Victoria with PokiesPros

The gambling landscape is very unique in Victoria and while Australian operators cannot provide a platform for online casinos, there is nothing stopping Victorians from playing at offshore online casinos. It’s important to do research though, to make sure you are playing with a reputable casino.

You’ve got heaps of choices as well, so it comes down to which one is the best for your personal situation. We review all the best online casinos and provide our professional opinion, so if you aren’t sure where you should start, we can help you!