Grand Theft Auto Online players located in Australia have reportedly found themselves barred from accessing the in-game gambling minigames inside Los Santos' Diamond Casino. According to findings shared by Rockstar dataminer Tex2 via code unearthed on the GTA Forums, developers Rockstar Games appear to have suddenly added Australia to their internal list of countries where access to these specific minigames is restricted.
Quick Facts
- Affected Region: Australia
- Game: Grand Theft Auto Online
- Source of Report: Dataminer Tex2 via GTA Forums (July 2026)
- Impacted Features: Diamond Casino gambling floor minigames, penthouse gambling minigames, and the daily Lucky Wheel spin
What Minigames Are Locked?
Australian players attempting to interact with poker, blackjack, roulette, slots, or the Inside Track horse racing minigame are now served an in-game notification stating, "this feature is not available for you." The daily Lucky Wheel spin, which players can normally access once every 24 hours of real time, is also restricted under the new measures.
Initial code references to a "GTAO_CASINO_HOUSE" led to concerns that Australian users might lose the ability to purchase or access the Diamond Casino penthouse. However, player reports on Reddit and the GTA Forums confirm that property ownership remains unaffected, with the restriction applying strictly to the interactive gambling minigames found both on the main casino floor and inside the penthouse.
Regulatory Context in Australia
The sudden implementation of these restrictions arrives following several legislative changes introduced by the Australian government. In March 2026, the country rolled out new online safety codes designed to mandate age verification and prevent minors from accessing age-inappropriate content on websites and video games. Additionally, new classifications for gambling-like content in video games were introduced in 2024, legally restricting simulated casino-style games to adults under an R 18+ classification.
It remains unconfirmed whether Rockstar's geo-restriction is a delayed adaptation to those existing guidelines or a proactive step ahead of further impending regulations. The Diamond Casino update originally launched as part of a heist-centered expansion for Grand Theft Auto Online in July 2019, having not been part of the base game's 2013 release.