GTA Online Players in Australia Face Restrictions on Casino

Players of GTA Online in Australia have recently discovered that they can no longer access a variety of in-game gambling minigames at the Diamond Casino in Los Santos. This change appears to stem from Rockstar's decision to add Australia to the list of regions where access to these games is restricted.

As reported by a Rockstar dataminer named Tex2 and shared on the GTA Forums, Australian players are now unable to participate in poker, blackjack, roulette, slots and the Inside Track horse racing minigame, which offers players a chance to win prizes every 24 hours. When attempting to access these games, players receive a notification stating, "this feature is not available for you."

Additionally, the code mentions a restriction labeled "GTAO_CASINO_HOUSE," which initially raised concerns that Australian players might also lose the ability to buy or access the Diamond Casino penthouse. However, feedback from players indicates that this restriction applies solely to the gambling minigames within the penthouse and the main casino floor, not the penthouse itself.

This sudden restriction aligns with recent changes in Australian legislation. In March, the Australian government implemented new online safety codes designed to shield children from age-inappropriate content on websites and in video games, mandating age verification measures. in 2024, they introduced new classifications for gambling-like content in video games, designating simulated gaming, such as casino-style games, as restricted to adults and classified as R 18+.

It is currently unclear whether Rockstar's decision to restrict these minigames for Australian players is a delayed response to these regulations or a proactive measure in anticipation of further legal changes. This situation raises questions about whether future online components in GTA 6 might avoid has similar to the Diamond Casino, particularly as various countries tighten their laws regarding online access to age-restricted content. Notably, the Diamond Casino was not part of the original GTA Online release; it was introduced later as part of a heist-focused expansion in 2019.