How to check the legality of an online casino site

1) Why it's important to check the legality of online casinos

Australia has a strict Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) 2001, which prohibits most interactive gambling, including slots and live casinos, but allows some types of betting. Playing on an illegal site can lead to blocking access, loss of funds and inability to complain about the operator.

2) Step 1 - Verify Operator License

1. Locate the license information on the home page or in the Terms & Conditions section.
2. Check jurisdiction: licenses from local regulators (Northern Territory Racing Commission, New South Wales Liquor & Gaming, etc.) are allowed to operate in Australia.
3. Curacao, MGA, UKGC licenses do not give the right to offer prohibited games to Australians, although their owners can serve players from other countries.

3) Step 2 - Check ACMA Registry

Go to the official website of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
Check out the blacklist of blocked sites - it is updated every week.
If the site is on the list, access to it may be limited, and the operator is recognized as a violator.

4) Step 3 - Evaluate the type of games offered

Australia allows:
  • Sports betting (including live betting in permitted markets).
  • Horse and dog racing stakes.
  • Online lotteries and bingo (if licensed).

Prohibited:
  • Online slots, roulette, blackjack and other real-money casino games.
  • Live casinos with dealers.

If the site offers prohibited games, it is illegal.

5) Step 4 - Check contact information and operator

Legal platforms always publish a physical address in Australia or licensing jurisdiction.
Indicate the phone number, e-mail and regulator data.
The presence of anonymous contacts or only a feedback form is a sign of a dubious resource.

6) Step 5 - Explore Terms (T&C)

The legal site specifies the exact rules, limits, payment methods and data about the regulator.
Carefully read the sections on verification, returns and account locks.
Do not allow registration if the conditions are written in general phrases without specifics.

7) Step 6 - Check Reputation

Check out the reviews on independent forums and ratings aggregators.
Clarify if the platform has had conflicts with ACMA or litigation.

8) Withdrawal

Checking the legality of online casinos in Australia involves six key steps: license verification, reconciliation with the ACMA registry, game type analysis, verification of contact details, examination of terms and conditions and reputation assessment. Ignoring these points increases the risk of falling for scammers or losing access to winnings.