AUSTRAC has updated its regulatory scope guidance, restating that businesses providing gambling services are subject to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing obligations in Australia.
The regulator’s “Who and what we regulate” page, marked as last updated on 13 April 2026, says businesses providing certain services in the financial, bullion and gambling sectors have AML/CTF obligations.
It also reiterates that regulated status is determined by the provision of designated services, rather than by business type alone.
Under the guidance, any individual, business or organisation providing one or more designated services with a geographical link to Australia is considered a reporting entity. That status carries AML/CTF obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006.
AUSTRAC states that designated services are regulated because they pose risks related to money laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation financing.
The page adds that a reporting entity can include an individual, company, trust, partnership, unincorporated association, corporation sole or body politic, with non-profit and not-for-profit organisations also potentially captured.
The updated guidance also notes that additional sectors will come within the regime from 1 July 2026, including real estate professionals, conveyancers, lawyers, accountants, trust and company service providers, as well as additional virtual asset-related services. These businesses have been able to enrol with AUSTRAC since 31 March 2026.
For gambling businesses, the update does not introduce a new obligation. However, it reinforces AUSTRAC’s current interpretation of who falls within its remit and directs businesses to the full list of designated services in Section 6 of the Act.
The regulator also reminds businesses that providing a designated service occasionally may still amount to carrying on a business under the legislation. It says reporting entities that meet the geographical link test must enrol, while remittance service providers and virtual asset service providers must also apply for registration.
Earlier this year, AUSTRAC issued guidance on how it will use new compulsory examination powers under section 172A of the AML/CTF Act, setting out when individuals may be required to attend examinations, answer questions and provide documents as part of the regulator’s expanded enforcement framework.
The guidance says the list of designated services on the page is not exhaustive
