In a surprising move, Rockstar Games has quietly disabled all gambling features in the Diamond Casino & Resort within GTA Online for players in Australia. This change, effective from late July 2026, has removed various casino mini-games including Blackjack, Poker, Roulette, Slot Machines, and Inside Track Horse Racing.
Additionally, the Lucky Wheel, which previously allowed players to spin for free daily rewards, is no longer available. However, the Diamond Casino area remains open, allowing players to access the casino property, complete missions, and engage in various non-gambling activities as usual.
Understanding the Decision
The decision to disable these features has raised eyebrows, particularly because Rockstar has not issued any official announcement or explanation regarding the rationale behind this move. Players in Australia can no longer participate in gambling activities that had been a part of the game since the Diamond Casino & Resort was launched on July 23, 2019.
Features Removed and Retained
While many gambling-related features have been deactivated, certain aspects of the Diamond Casino still function normally. This indicates that Rockstar has chosen to remove only the elements directly linked to betting, without closing off the core content of the casino itself.
Potential Regulatory Influence
One of the major points of discussion within the GTA Online community is whether this decision was influenced by Australia's new classification guidelines for gambling-like content, implemented in September 2024. These guidelines require games with simulated gambling activities to receive an R18+ rating. However, Grand Theft Auto V has held this rating in Australia for a long time, suggesting that the new regulations shouldn't have affected the distribution status of GTA V or GTA Online.
Furthermore, Australia began enforcing its Online Safety Code in March 2026, which tightens age verification for adult content. Although the deadline for implementing these regulations had passed prior to Rockstar's disabling of the casino features, it is still unclear if this regulatory environment played a role in Rockstar's decision.
Broader Context of Casino Feature Restrictions
Rockstar's actions are not unprecedented, as Australia is not the first country to block casino features in GTA Online. Since the launch of the Diamond Casino in 2019, Rockstar has disabled gambling features in approximately 50 countries. Most of these countries enacted restrictions immediately upon the casino's release. What distinguishes Australia’s situation is that the features had been available for nearly seven years before being blocked.
For players in Australia, this means that all activities related to betting are now inaccessible. However, overall gameplay progression remains unaffected. Players can still engage in other activities, but those who regularly collected casino chips, pursued Lucky Wheel rewards, or participated in casino mini-games as part of their daily routine will feel the impact of this change the most.
As of now, Rockstar Games has not confirmed the exact reasons behind the removal of gambling features from the Diamond Casino in Australia. It remains uncertain whether this action is a response to recent regulations, a result of discussions with local authorities, or simply an internal compliance policy.
Australia has now joined the ranks of numerous other countries that no longer have access to the entire range of gambling features in GTA Online’s Diamond Casino. The community is left wondering if Rockstar will eventually provide an official explanation or consider extending similar restrictions to other regions in the future.
Source: https://www.esports.id/read/rockstar-blokir-fitur-kasino-gta-online-di-australia-setelah-7-tahun-ada-apa-19158
