Are cryptocurrency casinos legal in Australia

1) Introduction: The rise of cryptocurrency casinos

Cryptocurrency casinos have become one of the fastest growing niches in online gambling. They allow you to make deposits and withdraw funds in Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT and other digital assets. However, in Australia, their legal status remains controversial, especially given the tight regulation of online gambling.

2) Legal status of cryptocurrency casinos in AU

Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) 2001 prohibits the provision of online casino services to Australian residents without a local license, regardless of the payment method - be it fiat currency or cryptocurrency.
The law does not contain a separate mention of cryptocurrency as a means of payment in the context of gambling, but applies to all forms of settlements.
For legal operation, a cryptocasino must have permission from Australian regulators - in practice, such licenses are not issued.

3) Why crypto casinos most often work offshore

Licenses are obtained in jurisdictions like Curacao, Antigua and Barbuda, Costa Rica or from MGA (Malta).
Servers and legal addresses are located outside Australia.
Targeting an international audience, including Australians, while not registering locally.

4) What it means for players in Australia

Playing cryptocasino is not legal unless the operator is Australian licensed.
Participation in such games is not always prosecuted for the player, but ACMA actively blocks sites and domains.
In case of disputes, the player will not be able to go to the local court or demand protection of rights under AU laws.

5) Risks when playing cryptocurrency casinos

1. Lack of guarantees of payments - the offshore regulator is not obliged to follow Australian standards.
2. Access blocking - A site can be blocked by ACMA without notice.
3. Cryptocurrency exchange rate fluctuations - gains in BTC or ETH can depreciate sharply.
4. Lack of data protection under Australian regulations - privacy and security depend on the policies of the foreign operator.

6) ACMA actions and crypto-casino blocking

ACMA treats cryptocurrency casinos like any other illegal platform.
Domains, including mirrors, are monitored and blocked.
Payment restrictions in fiat do not affect cryptocurrency transactions, which complicates control, but does not make the site legal.

7) The bottom line

Cryptocurrency casinos in Australia do not have legal status unless licensed by local authorities. Any game in such establishments formally violates the requirements of IGA 2001, and the protection of the rights of players in the event of a conflict is almost impossible. For a game without legal risks, you should choose only licensed platforms operating under AU laws.