Rockstar Restricts GTA Online Gambling Features in Australia

SYDNEY: Rockstar Games has blocked Australian GTA Online players from using the Diamond Casino’s gambling features. Players can still enter the casino but cannot participate in its games and prize activities.

Attempts to use the affected features now produce a message stating that the feature is unavailable. Rockstar has not publicly explained whether the restriction is permanent or why it was introduced.

Restriction Covers Casino Games and Lucky Wheel

Australian players began reporting the change through Reddit, GTA forums and other online communities. A Rockstar Games community researcher identified code indicating that the restriction is based on the player’s geographic location.

The blocked activities include blackjack, roulette, three-card poker, slot machines and Inside Track virtual horse racing. Players are also unable to use the Lucky Wheel, which awards virtual currency, vehicles, clothing and other in-game prizes.

The Diamond Casino uses virtual chips purchased with GTA$, the game’s fictional currency. GTA$ can be earned through gameplay or acquired indirectly by purchasing Shark Cash Cards with real money, although casino winnings cannot be withdrawn or converted into real-world cash.

The restriction therefore affects simulated gambling rather than a licensed real-money gambling service. Australia joins a wider group of territories where Rockstar has limited access to some or all Diamond Casino activities.

Xbox Classification Omits Simulated Gambling

The change appeared shortly after GTA Online received a new Australian classification for Xbox Series X and S on July 22. The latest classification listing gives the game an R18+ rating but does not include high-impact simulated gambling in its consumer advice.

The listing instead identifies high-impact violence, sex scenes, drug use and themes, along with online interactivity. The absence of simulated gambling from the new description is consistent with the Diamond Casino activities being unavailable, although Rockstar has not confirmed that the classification caused the restriction.

Australia introduced stricter classifications for video games containing gambling-like content in September 2024. Games featuring interactive simulated gambling must receive an R18+ classification, while games with chance-based purchases such as paid loot boxes must receive at least an M rating.

GTA Online already carries an R18+ classification in Australia because of its other adult content. The rules do not automatically prohibit simulated gambling in adult-rated games, so the restriction should not be described as a government ban without confirmation from Rockstar or Australian authorities.

Rockstar’s support guidance says its “feature is not available for you” message can appear because of regional or age restrictions, gameplay design or differences between game versions. The company had not issued a specific statement addressing the Australian Diamond Casino restriction at the time of publication.

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