Is it legal to play for real money in foreign casinos
1) Legal context
In Australia, online gambling is regulated by the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) under the control of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). This law prohibits operators without an Australian licence from providing online casino services to Australians.
Important: IGA is aimed at operators, not players. That is, the main responsibility for the violation lies with the company offering the services, and not with the person who participates in them.
2) The status of the game in foreign casinos
Playing in foreign casinos is not a direct violation of the law for a player if they are doing so from Australia.
However, an operator accepting Australians without an AU licence is acting unlawfully.
ACMA actively blocks such sites and restricts the ability to transfer money to their accounts.
3) Practical implications for the player
Although there is no criminal liability for an individual, there are serious risks:
4) Legal alternatives
Instead of playing in foreign casinos, Australians have access to:
5) ACMA position
The ACMA explicitly states that foreign casinos, even those licensed in Malta, Curaçao, Gibraltar or other jurisdictions, are not allowed to operate with Australian players. Any such site is subject to blocking.
6) Withdrawal
For the player - participation in real money games in foreign online casinos is not prohibited by law directly, but is associated with financial and technical risks.
For the operator, this is a violation of the law and a reason to block the resource.
Recommendation - if the goal is security and guaranteed payments, it is better to choose platforms allowed and regulated in Australia.
In Australia, online gambling is regulated by the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) under the control of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). This law prohibits operators without an Australian licence from providing online casino services to Australians.
Important: IGA is aimed at operators, not players. That is, the main responsibility for the violation lies with the company offering the services, and not with the person who participates in them.
2) The status of the game in foreign casinos
Playing in foreign casinos is not a direct violation of the law for a player if they are doing so from Australia.
However, an operator accepting Australians without an AU licence is acting unlawfully.
ACMA actively blocks such sites and restricts the ability to transfer money to their accounts.
3) Practical implications for the player
Although there is no criminal liability for an individual, there are serious risks:
- 1. Lack of legal protection - if the casino refuses to pay, it will be impossible to return the money through the Australian authorities.
- 2. Access blocking - ACMA regularly blacklists illegal sites.
- 3. Transaction problems - banks and payment systems can reject deposits and conclusions.
- 4. Foreign exchange losses - most foreign casinos operate in USD, EUR or cryptocurrency, which creates additional commissions and risks of exchange rate fluctuations.
4) Legal alternatives
Instead of playing in foreign casinos, Australians have access to:
- Licensed sports and horse racing betting sites.
- Lotteries and scratch cards online through registered operators.
- Social casinos with no real bets.
5) ACMA position
The ACMA explicitly states that foreign casinos, even those licensed in Malta, Curaçao, Gibraltar or other jurisdictions, are not allowed to operate with Australian players. Any such site is subject to blocking.
6) Withdrawal
For the player - participation in real money games in foreign online casinos is not prohibited by law directly, but is associated with financial and technical risks.
For the operator, this is a violation of the law and a reason to block the resource.
Recommendation - if the goal is security and guaranteed payments, it is better to choose platforms allowed and regulated in Australia.
