Grand Theft Auto Online players in Australia have reportedly encountered restrictions preventing them from accessing various gambling minigames available at the Diamond Casino in Los Santos. This change appears to stem from developers Rockstar Games adding Australia to a list of regions where such content is unavailable.
The affected minigames include poker, blackjack, roulette, slots, and the Lucky Wheel, which offers a prize once every 24 hours. Australian players attempting to engage with these features are met with a notification stating, "this feature is not available for you." Reports suggest that while the term "GTAO_CASINO_HOUSE" is mentioned in unearthed code as restricted, this specifically pertains to the gambling activities within the casino and not the ability to purchase or access the Diamond Casino penthouse itself.
This development follows recent actions by the Australian government concerning online content. In March, new online safety codes were introduced, mandating age verification to protect children from age-inappropriate material. Furthermore, in 2024, the country implemented new classifications for gambling-like content in video games, designating "simulated gaming, such as casino-style games" as legally restricted to adults and classified as R 18+.
It remains unclear whether Rockstar's decision is a direct consequence of these regulations or a preemptive measure against potential future legislation. The implementation of these restrictions raises questions about whether future online content for Grand Theft Auto 6 might avoid similar gambling mechanics, given the global trend toward tighter laws on unverified online access. The Diamond Casino was not an original feature of GTA Online, having been added in a 2019 expansion.