Short answer. Yes, under a licence: section 16 of the Gaming Machines Act 1992 says what a gaming machine licence authorises, and section 45 makes it an offence to go without one.
For South Australia the machine side of the question sits in the Gaming Machines Act 1992: its objects, what a gaming machine licence authorises, the offence of possessing or operating a machine without a licence, and the Commissioner's approval of machines and games. The State text is the authorised PDF on legislation.sa.gov.au, pulled on 2026-09-12. The Commonwealth Interactive Gambling Act 2001, which reaches online casino services offered to people anywhere in Australia, is quoted on this site's online casino law page and is not repeated here.
What the Act says
Gaming Machines Act 1992 (SA), section 2: the objects of the Act
The objects of this Act are - (a) to ensure that gaming machine gambling is conducted responsibly, fairly and honestly, with regard to minimising the harm caused by gambling; and (b) to ensure that the management and operation of gaming machines, associated gaming equipment and monitoring equipment is free from interference, criminal influence and exploitation; and (c) to ensure the probity of people involved in the conduct, management and oversight of gambling; and (d) to prohibit minors from gambling and to ensure that minors are not encouraged to gamble; and (e) to ensure that the club and hotel gaming machine industry develops in a manner consistent with the needs and aspirations of the community and is in the community interest; and (f) to protect the interests of the State in the taxation of gaming revenue resulting from the operation of the club and hotel gaming machine industry.
Section 2 of the Gaming Machines Act 1992 (SA), in-force text on legislation.sa.gov.au (authorised PDF, 101 pages), pulled 12 September 2026.
Section 16: what a gaming machine licence authorises
a gaming machine licence authorises the licensee to possess and operate in the licensed premises a number of gaming machines equivalent to the number of gaming machine entitlements held in respect of the licensed premises (or a lesser number).
Section 16 of the Gaming Machines Act 1992 (SA), in-force text on legislation.sa.gov.au (authorised PDF, 101 pages), pulled 12 September 2026.
Section 16 of the Gaming Machines Act 1992 (SA) provides that a gaming machine licence gives the licensee the authority to possess and operate on the licensed premises a number of gaming machines equal to the number of gaming machine entitlements held for those premises, or fewer if desired. This authorisation applies only to the licensed premises and only covers the number of machines matching the entitlements held or a smaller number chosen by the licensee.
Section 45: the offence of being unlicensed
(1) A person must not - (a) have possession of a gaming machine on any premises; or (ab) purchase, or enter into a contract or agreement to purchase, a gaming machine; or (b) manufacture, sell or supply a game, a gaming machine or a prescribed gaming machine component; or (d) install, service or repair a game, gaming machine or a prescribed gaming machine component; or (e) provide a computer-based system for monitoring the operation of gaming machines, without being licensed to do so.
Section 45 of the Gaming Machines Act 1992 (SA), in-force text on legislation.sa.gov.au (authorised PDF, 101 pages), pulled 12 September 2026.
Section 23: minors and licences
(1) A minor cannot - (a) hold a licence; or (b) occupy a position of authority in a trust or corporate entity that holds a licence.
Section 23 of the Gaming Machines Act 1992 (SA), in-force text on legislation.sa.gov.au (authorised PDF, 101 pages), pulled 12 September 2026.
Section 23 of the Gaming Machines Act 1992 (SA) states that a minor cannot hold a licence. It also provides that a minor cannot occupy a position of authority in a trust or corporate entity that holds a licence.
Section 40: approval of gaming machines and games
(1) The Commissioner may, on application by a person, approve particular gaming machines, or particular games, to be of a class that is approved for the purposes of this Act.
Section 40 of the Gaming Machines Act 1992 (SA), in-force text on legislation.sa.gov.au (authorised PDF, 101 pages), pulled 12 September 2026.
Section 40 of the Gaming Machines Act 1992 (SA) states that the Commissioner has the power to approve specific gaming machines or games as belonging to a class that is approved under the Act. This approval can be given when a person applies for it.
Section 14: the classes of licence
(1) Licences under this Act are of the following classes: (a) gaming machine licence: subject to this Act and the conditions of the licence, a gaming machine licence authorises the licensee to possess approved gaming machines on premises designated in the licence and to conduct gaming on those machines; (ab) special club licence: subject to the Act and the conditions of the licence, the special club licence authorises the licensee to possess approved gaming machines and to operate them - (i) on the casino premises as agent of the holder of the casino licence; or (ii) on premises in respect of which someone else holds a gaming machine licence as agent of the holder of the gaming machine licence; (b) gaming machine dealer's licence: subject to this Act and the conditions of the licence, a gaming machine dealer's licence authorises the licensee to manufacture games, gaming machines and prescribed gaming machine components and, under a contract in a form approved by the Commissioner, to sell or supply to the holder of a gaming machine licence, a gaming machine service licence, the casino licence, or another gaming machine dealer's licence, approved games and gaming machines and prescribed gaming machine components; (d) gaming machine monitor licence: subject to this Act and the conditions of the licence, a gaming machine monitor licence authorises the licensee to provide and operate an approved computer system for monitoring the operation of all gaming machines operated pursuant to gaming machine licences under this Act; Gaming Machines Act 1992 - 9.12.2021
Section 14 of the Gaming Machines Act 1992 (SA), in-force text on legislation.sa.gov.au (authorised PDF, 101 pages), pulled 12 September 2026.
Licence status in Australia
None of the sites covered on this site (read here against South Australia law) 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.
How to read this page
No legal advice and no individual case; the section numbers are the way in.
Play responsibly
18+ only. Gambling Help Online 1800 858 858 - free, confidential, 24 hours a day, Australia. Self-exclusion register: BetStop.