A card payment to a gambling site can be declined by the bank before the site sees it. Three banks - ANZ, NAB and Westpac - say on their own pages when they decline gambling transactions and what a customer's own block covers. Their wording is below. If you set a block because gambling had become a problem, Gambling Help Online is on 1800 858 858.
What each bank publishes
ANZ
Transactions that we identify as being for a gambling or gaming purpose will be declined if you've used 85% or more of your credit limit, or if the transaction would take your balance to 85% or more of your credit limit if it was processed.
If you have used 85 percent or more of your credit limit, ANZ will decline any transaction they identify as for gambling or gaming. They will also decline such a transaction if processing it would make your balance reach 85 percent or more of your credit limit.
ANZ's own page, https://www.anz.com.au/support/gambling/, snapshot of 30 July 2025 read from the Wayback Machine on 18 September 2026.
NAB
This covers most gambling transactions (including gambling refunds and winnings) where 'credit' is selected and/or you use your card number to complete the transaction.
If you make a gambling transaction using 'credit' or by entering your card number, this applies to most such transactions. It also includes gambling refunds and winnings processed in the same way. This means these transactions are affected under the terms outlined in this section.
Some gambling transactions are permanently restricted on NAB Visa Debit cards for customers under 18. This includes most online and contactless gambling transactions. The gambling restriction will apply an additional restriction to most gambling transactions where 'credit' is selected, and/or you use your card number to complete the transaction.
If you are under 18 and use an NAB Visa Debit card, most online and contactless gambling transactions will be permanently restricted. The card will also place an extra restriction on most gambling transactions if you choose the 'credit' option or use your card number to make the payment. This may stop these types of transactions from going through.
NAB's own page, https://www.nab.com.au/personal/customer-support/gambling-restriction, snapshot of 19 March 2023 read from the Wayback Machine on 18 September 2026.
Westpac
Use Westpac's Gambling Block to prevent transactions on credit cards or debit cards made at merchants who are classified as "betting/casino gambling".
If you turn on Westpac's Gambling Block, you will not be able to make any transactions on your credit or debit card at places that are classified as betting or casino gambling merchants. This applies to both types of cards. The block prevents these specific transactions from going through.
Westpac's own page, https://www.westpac.com.au/help/gambling/, snapshot of 18 November 2024 read from the Wayback Machine on 18 September 2026.
What this does not settle
Three bank pages are quoted from archive snapshots on the dates shown, and no bank was contacted. A different bank, a different card or a later version of the page can all behave differently. How to switch a block on is on the page about bank gambling blocks.
Licence status in Australia
None of the sites on this page about declined card payments names an Australian licence; each is an offshore operator as far as Australian law is concerned. The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 and the ACMA's powers under it are quoted on our law page. Amounts are quoted as each operator prints them; nothing is converted to A$.
Play safely
18+ only. Gambling Help Online 1800 858 858 - free, confidential, 24 hours a day, Australia. Self-exclusion register: BetStop.