In-game gambling activities, including blackjack, slots, poker, and roulette at the Diamond Casino, have been disabled for players in Australia accessing Grand Theft Auto Online. The free-spin lucky wheel is also inaccessible. These features, which have been part of GTA Online since the Diamond Casino & Resort update in July 2019, were previously available in Australia for seven years.
This sudden restriction follows closely behind recent legislative changes in Australia. In March 2026, the country introduced new online safety codes requiring age verification for certain adult content. This also comes nearly two years after mandatory minimum classifications for gambling-like content in video games were implemented in September 2024. Under these guidelines, video games featuring simulated gambling activities like slot machines or roulette must receive an R18+ rating, restricting them to adult players. While Grand Theft Auto V and GTA Online already hold R18+ ratings in Australia—the former receiving its rating in 2013—the exact catalyst for this week's change remains unclear.
Rockstar Games has been contacted for clarification regarding the decision. Australia now joins a significant number of approximately 50 countries globally where GTA Online's casino betting mini-games are non-functional. This list includes nations such as Portugal, Poland, Argentina, Greece, Luxembourg, South Africa, South Korea, China, and Malta.
It is worth noting that online casino gaming is illegal in Australia under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. While GTA Online's Diamond Casino is not a real-world casino, and its virtual chips are purchased with in-game currency earned through gameplay or bought with real money, this currency cannot be directly used for chips, nor can in-game winnings be converted into real-world money. The move by Rockstar, regardless of the distinction between simulated and actual gambling, is likely to draw attention given Australia's high rates of gambling participation, with per capita losses estimated at over $1,500 per adult annually.