What is online craps, and playing in Australia
Craps is the classic casino dice game, famous for its noisy, crowded tables and its huge range of bets. The heart of it is simple: a shooter rolls two dice, and players wager on the outcomes. Online craps is the digital version, played in your browser or on your phone, either against software using a random number generator or at a live table streamed from a studio with a real dealer and real dice. It looks intimidating on first glance because the table layout is busy, but the core game is quick to learn and, played sensibly, offers some of the best odds on the casino floor.
For Aussie players, the practical picture mirrors online pokies. There is no locally licensed operator, so every real-money craps site that accepts Australians is licensed offshore – most commonly in Curacao. These sites support AUD, take deposits by PayID, Neosurf, bank transfer or cryptocurrency, and offer both instant RNG tables and live streams. We cover the law honestly further down; the short version is that the Interactive Gambling Act targets operators, not the people who play.
Why do experienced players love craps? Because the marquee bets – pass and don't pass, backed with free odds – are among the lowest-edge wagers you can make anywhere in a casino. The table also offers a swarm of tempting long-shot bets in the middle with far worse odds. Learning craps is really about learning which bets to make and, just as importantly, which to ignore. Get that right and you are playing one of the smartest games on the floor.
How to play craps
A round of craps begins with the come-out roll. The shooter rolls two dice, and the most common bet, the pass line, wins or loses straight away on certain numbers. Everything else builds from there. Here is the sequence for the pass line bet, which is where every new player should start.
- Place a pass line bet. You are betting with the shooter before the come-out roll.
- The come-out roll. If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, the pass line wins immediately. If they roll 2, 3 or 12 (craps), it loses. Any other number – 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 – becomes the point.
- Chasing the point. Once a point is set, the shooter keeps rolling. The pass line now wins if the point is rolled again before a 7 appears, and loses if a 7 comes first.
Pass line and don't pass
The don't pass bet is the mirror image: you are betting against the shooter. It wins on a come-out 2 or 3, loses on 7 or 11, and after a point is set it wins if a 7 comes before the point. It is a fraction better in maths terms but wins quietly while the table cheers the opposite way, which is why most social players stick to the pass line.
The come bet and odds bets
A come bet works exactly like a pass line bet but can be placed after the point is established, letting you get more numbers working for you. The most valuable move in the whole game is the free odds bet: once a point is set, you can back your pass or come bet with an additional wager that is paid at true odds with zero house edge. It is the only bet in the casino with no built-in advantage for the house, so backing your line bet with maximum odds is the single best habit in craps.
| Bet | How it works | House edge |
|---|---|---|
| Pass line | Bet with the shooter; wins on 7/11, sets a point | ~1.41% |
| Don't pass | Bet against the shooter; the mirror of the pass line | ~1.36% |
| Come | Like a pass line bet, made after the point is set | ~1.41% |
| Don't come | Like don't pass, made after the point is set | ~1.36% |
| Free odds | Backs a line/come bet, paid at true odds | 0% |
Best & worst craps bets
The craps table is a study in contrasts. Around the edges sit the low-edge line bets that make craps a smart game; in the centre sit the flashy proposition bets that make it a trap for the unwary. Knowing the difference is the whole skill.
The best bets
- Free odds – the only zero-edge bet anywhere. Always back your line bets with it.
- Don't pass / don't come – the lowest line-bet edge at about 1.36 per cent.
- Pass line / come – about 1.41 per cent, low and beginner-friendly.
- Place 6 or 8 – a reasonable ~1.52 per cent, paying when a 6 or 8 rolls before a 7.
The worst bets
The centre of the table is where the casino makes its money. These bets pay big but carry brutal edges, so treat them as occasional fun, never a strategy.
| Bet | Pays | House edge |
|---|---|---|
| Any 7 | 4:1 | ~16.67% |
| Any craps | 7:1 | ~11.11% |
| Hardways (e.g. hard 8) | 9:1 / 7:1 | ~9–11% |
| Field (single roll) | 1:1 (2:1 on 2/12) | ~5.56% |
RNG vs live craps
Online craps comes in two forms, and it is worth knowing which suits you. RNG (computer) craps is dealt by software using a certified random number generator, audited by labs such as eCOGRA or iTech Labs. Every roll is independent and the game plays instantly at your own pace, often with very low minimum bets. It is private, fast and ideal for learning the table layout or grinding out low-edge line bets without a crowd watching.
Live dealer craps replaces the software with a real table and real dice, streamed in high definition from a professional studio. Some studios use a genuine shooter or an automated dice launcher, and you watch every roll land, which many players find more transparent and atmospheric. The trade-off is pace – live tables are slower – and slightly higher minimum bets.
| Feature | RNG craps | Live dealer craps |
|---|---|---|
| Dice | Software (audited RNG) | Real dice in a studio |
| Speed | Instant, self-paced | Slower, real-time |
| Min bets | Very low | Usually higher |
| Best for | Learning, quick play | Atmosphere, transparency |
If you enjoy the social, casino-floor feel, live craps is the pick – we go deep on studios, providers and fairness on our dedicated live casino Australia guide. If you want speed, privacy and the lowest stakes to learn the bets, RNG craps is the better tool. Plenty of players use both.
Where to play real-money craps in Australia
The sites below accept Australian players, support AUD and PayID, and run craps – both RNG and live dealer – from audited studios. As with all offshore casinos, none holds an Australian licence; they are licensed in Curacao, so treat licence, reputation and payout history as what matters most. Ratings are our editorial opinion.
| # | Casino | Licence | Welcome offer | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Ricky CasinoFast PayID · RNG + live craps |
Curacao | Up to A$7,500 + 550 spinsacross deposits | ★★★★★ 4.9(318 reviews) |
Visit site |
| 2 |  National CasinoStrong live table range |
Curacao | Up to A$5,000+ 100 free spins | ★★★★★ 4.7(203 reviews) |
Visit site |
| 3 |  NeospinFast withdrawals |
Curacao | Up to A$10,000+ 100 free spins | ★★★★☆ 4.5(142 reviews) |
Visit site |
Ratings are our editorial opinion based on testing licences, payout speed, banking, bonus terms and table quality. Bonus offers change often – always check the current terms on the casino site. Logos are placeholders pending final artwork.
Free craps vs real money
Most casinos let you play free craps in a demo mode using virtual chips. It is the same game and the same table, just with pretend money – you cannot lose a cent and you cannot cash anything out. For learning, it is invaluable: the craps table looks daunting, and free play is the perfect place to get comfortable with where the pass, don't pass, come and odds bets sit before you stake real cash.
| Feature | Free craps (demo) | Real-money craps |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Nothing – virtual chips | Real cash from your balance |
| Can you win cash? | No, wins are virtual | Yes, wins are withdrawable |
| Risk | Zero | You can lose real money |
| Best for | Learning the table, practice | Playing for real payouts |
The sensible approach is to practise the bets for free until the table feels familiar, then decide with clear eyes whether real-money play is for you. If you do switch, set a deposit and loss limit first and only play with money you can afford to lose. Free play carries no risk; real-money craps always does.
Is online craps legal in Australia?
The law that governs online gambling in Australia is the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA), and the honest answer has two sides. The Act makes it illegal for operators to provide online casino games – including craps – to people in Australia. Crucially, though, it targets the operators, not the players. There is no penalty in the IGA for an individual who places a bet at an online craps table; enforcement is aimed squarely at the companies offering the games.
Because no operator can be licensed to offer online craps inside Australia, every real-money site that accepts Aussies is licensed offshore – most commonly in Curacao, sometimes Malta. Those licences are genuine, but they are not Australian, so you are not protected by an Australian regulator if a withdrawal or bonus dispute goes wrong. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) enforces the Act and can ask internet providers to block offshore sites, which is why some casinos rotate domains.
About the author
Nathan has covered the Australian online gambling market for eight years, testing casinos for payout reliability, fair table rules and honest bonus terms. He is a firm believer in learning a game's maths before you ever stake a cent, and writes plainly about risk – including the parts other sites gloss over. About the author →
Frequently asked questions
Is online craps legal in Australia?
Under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 it is illegal for operators to offer online casino games such as craps to Australians, but the law targets operators, not players – there is no penalty for individuals who play. The sites Aussies use are licensed offshore, most often in Curacao, and are not regulated by an Australian authority, so play carries risk.
What is the best bet in online craps?
The pass line (about 1.41 per cent edge) and don't pass (about 1.36 per cent) are the best line bets, and the free odds bet behind them carries no house edge at all. Combining a line bet with maximum odds gives you the best value on the table. The centre proposition bets look exciting but carry far worse odds.
What is the house edge on the pass line?
The pass line bet has a house edge of roughly 1.41 per cent, or about A$98.59 returned for every A$100 wagered over the long run. That makes it one of the better-value bets in any casino, but the house still keeps a small mathematical advantage, so there is no guaranteed win.
Is RNG craps fair compared with live craps?
Yes. RNG craps uses a certified random number generator audited by labs such as eCOGRA or iTech Labs, so each roll is independent and fair. Live craps is streamed from a studio with real dice. Both are fair when run by reputable operators – RNG is faster and private, while live feels closer to a real table.
Can I play craps for free in Australia?
Yes. Most casinos offer a free demo mode with virtual chips, so you can learn the table layout and practise the pass and don't pass bets without risking money. You cannot win real cash in demo mode, but it is the best way to get comfortable before you play for real.