The legality of using Buy Feature in Australia

Introduction

The Bonus Buy (or Buy Feature) function is one of the most popular among players, as it allows you to instantly activate a bonus round for a fixed amount. However, in Australia, the issue of its legality is ambiguous: gambling laws here strictly regulate online casinos and the features of slot machines. To understand where and how Buy Feature can be used, it is important to consider the legal nuances and position of regulators.

Legal regulation of gambling in Australia

1. Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) 2001 is a key federal law governing online gambling. It prohibits operators based in Australia from offering real money casino games to domestic players.
2. The role of ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) is a body that monitors compliance with the law, blocks illegal sites and imposes fines.
3. Regional licences - Australian states (e.g. Victoria, New South Wales) regulate land-based clubs and poker machines, but do not control international online casinos.

Legality of Buy Feature in the context of legislation

In ground clubs and slot machines in Australia, the function of direct purchase of bonuses is not provided, since local devices work according to the classic model (the player is waiting for Scatter or a certain combination).
In online casinos registered in Australia, Buy Feature is formally prohibited, since the very work of online casinos for residents of the country is illegal.
In foreign licensed casinos - Australian players can legally register and play at their own risk, as the law restricts operators, not users. In such casinos, the Bonus Buy function is available.

Why Buy Feature is controversial

1. High risk for players - buying a bonus requires a significant investment (50x-200x from the bet).
2. Psychological factor - instant access to freespins can push for impulsive decisions.
3. No regulation for offshore casinos - players are deprived of legal protection if the casino operates under license from Curacao, Malta or Gibraltar.

Where the Bonus Buy feature is available for Australians

International casinos with licenses MGA, UKGC, Curacao - most popular sites offer Bonus Buy.
Australian online casinos - officially absent, but players use offshore counterparts.
Cryptocasino is another category of platforms where Bonus Buy is actively used, especially in slots from Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw Gaming and Relax Gaming.

Regulatory outlook in Australia

Tighter controls - ACMA continues to actively block Buy Feature sites if they target Australians.
Likelihood of partial legalization - in the future, the state may consider regulating Bonus Buy to control taxation.
Crypto-casino growth - more and more Australian players are using cryptocurrency platforms where Buy Feature works without restrictions.

What it means for players

1. You can play with Buy Feature only on foreign sites.
2. The responsibility for participating in offshore casinos falls on the player, but there are no fines for individuals.
3. Security depends on choosing a casino license - you should avoid unverified sites.
4. Using VPN sometimes becomes necessary to bypass locks.

Conclusion

From the point of view of the law, the Buy Feature function in Australia is in a gray zone: it is absent in land-based establishments, it is prohibited in local online casinos, and is available in offshore ones. For players, this means that it is possible to use it, but exclusively through international casinos. The main recommendation is to choose only licensed sites, take risks into account and play responsibly.