GTA Online Just Lost a Major Feature in Australia and Fans Ask if GTA 6 is Next?

A massive development around GTA Online in Australia has left the gaming community in shock. Recently, several GTA players in the country have reported being blocked from in-game gambling features. That has left players asking several questions, such as, “Is GTA 6 banned in Australia?" In this article, we will thoroughly discuss the reason behind these sudden restrictions and what it could mean for the highly anticipated GTA 6 launch in Australia.

GTA Online Casino Gambling Ban Australia

Several Australian players recently reported that they can no longer play multiple GTA Online casino mini-games. They include blackjack, roulette, three-card poker, and more. Those trying to access these mini-games are faced with a dialogue box that reads, “This feature is not available for you."

What Actually Happened?

Following reports like these, popular GTA Online dataminer Tex2 discovered what was happening behind the scenes. Sharing an X (formerly Twitter) post, he confirmed that a regional lock was in play. “Rockstar Games now restricts Australian players from gambling in the Casino in #GTAOnline,” he wrote. As for the “Is GTA 6 banned in Australia?” questions, continue reading to find out more.

Meanwhile, if you're also worried about the whole physical disc situation, you can check out how to buy GTA 6 in the 2nd hand market.

Why Was the Ban Implemented?

Games with gambling must have an R18+ classification in Australia, something which GTA Online always had. In the game, players must purchase Casino Chips with GTA$ earned in-game or purchased using real money. The amount won cannot be converted to real money, or in other words, players cannot gamble to earn real-world gains in GTA Online legally despite real money being involved.

The GTA Online gambling ban Australia arrives at a time when the country's Federal Government is clamping down on online gambling harms. It could mean that this measure might be preemptive in light of the aforementioned reason.

So, Is GTA 6 Banned in Australia?

In simple words, NO. A GTA 6 ban likely won't be on the cards for the country's Federal Government. That does not represent the full story, as the game will likely get some restrictions following its official launch in Australia.

If the GTA Online casino gambling ban Australia proves permanent, the nation will join a huge list where the game's simulated gambling features aren't available. Other nations with such restrictions include South Africa, Poland, China, Argentina and more. It seems quite likely that GTA 6's online component featuring simulated gambling, if released, will likely be inaccessible in Australia.

Speaking of the upcoming Rockstar Games title, check out the GTA 6 pre-order details in our separate coverage.