Players in Australia have discovered that Grand Theft Auto Online has recently blocked access to gambling activities within the game's Diamond Casino. This change, implemented on July 28, has left many players confused, particularly as it occurred nearly seven years after the casino's initial addition to the game in 2019. The restriction means Australian players can no longer participate in games of chance or even spin the daily free wheel, which offers various rewards including vehicles. This decision has drawn comparisons to the continued allowance and promotion of real-world sports betting within the country.
Tez2, a dataminer for GTA Online, confirmed that the blocking of Australian players from the casino was an official action by Rockstar Games, not a technical glitch. While access to gambling has been removed, reports indicate that players can still exchange chips for in-game currency and use them to purchase items from the casino store. Some players are reportedly able to trade in and cash out chips, though the ability to gamble with them has been removed.
Australia now joins a list of countries where regional laws have previously restricted access to GTA Online's casino features, including Poland, Greece, Israel, Vietnam, and Portugal. It is important to note that in GTA Online, chips cannot be cashed out for real money, and in some regions, even in-game cash purchased through microtransactions cannot be converted into gambling chips.
The abrupt nature of this change has been a source of frustration for Australian players who have engaged with the casino for years. Some have voiced their displeasure online, questioning the inconsistency between the in-game gambling ban and the prevalence of legal sports betting. Concerns have also been raised regarding potential future restrictions in Grand Theft Auto 6's multiplayer component, should it include similar casino-style mechanics.
Players have humorously suggested returning to the game's more traditional criminal enterprises as a means of earning in-game currency, referencing activities like drug trafficking and weapons running, which remain unaffected by the casino ban.