Are online casinos allowed with a foreign license
1) Legal basis
In Australia, online casinos are regulated by the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA), which explicitly prohibits the provision of certain types of gambling to Australian players without a corresponding license issued domestically. Most casino games are banned, including slots, roulette, blackjack and other random number generator (RNG) games.
2) ACMA position
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) regularly publishes a blacklist of sites operating without permission. ACMA has the right to:
3) Can foreign licenses be valid in AU
No, the foreign license itself (Curacao, Malta, Gibraltar, the Isle of Man, etc.) does not give the right to provide services to Australians.
Even if an operator has international recognition and certified software, they are required to either hold an Australian licence or block access entirely for players from AU.
Some offshore casinos ignore this requirement and are technically accessible to Australians, but such sites are considered illegal and can be blocked.
4) Player risks
When choosing a casino with only a foreign license, the Australian player faces risks:
5) Exceptions
In rare cases, foreign operators may operate in AU if:
6) How to check status
Find license information on the casino website.
Verify it in the register of a foreign regulator.
Check whether the operator in Whitelist has allowed AU platforms or in the ACMA blacklist.
Study the reviews of Australian players and specialized forums.
Conclusion:
In Australia, online casinos are regulated by the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA), which explicitly prohibits the provision of certain types of gambling to Australian players without a corresponding license issued domestically. Most casino games are banned, including slots, roulette, blackjack and other random number generator (RNG) games.
2) ACMA position
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) regularly publishes a blacklist of sites operating without permission. ACMA has the right to:
- block domains of illegal operators at the level of Internet providers,
- initiate fines of up to AUD 1.8 million per day for companies violating the law,
- notify foreign regulators about the activities of such operators.
3) Can foreign licenses be valid in AU
No, the foreign license itself (Curacao, Malta, Gibraltar, the Isle of Man, etc.) does not give the right to provide services to Australians.
Even if an operator has international recognition and certified software, they are required to either hold an Australian licence or block access entirely for players from AU.
Some offshore casinos ignore this requirement and are technically accessible to Australians, but such sites are considered illegal and can be blocked.
4) Player risks
When choosing a casino with only a foreign license, the Australian player faces risks:
- lack of legal protection in the event of disputes,
- inability to complain to ACMA or claim a refund,
- blocking an account or funds when checking IP or KYC,
- the risk of losing winnings due to the invalidity of the contract under AU laws.
5) Exceptions
In rare cases, foreign operators may operate in AU if:
- they have a formal agreement with the Australian regulator,
- their license is recognized and accredited for a specific state or territory (most commonly in the sports betting and betting sector, rather than casino gaming).
6) How to check status
Find license information on the casino website.
Verify it in the register of a foreign regulator.
Check whether the operator in Whitelist has allowed AU platforms or in the ACMA blacklist.
Study the reviews of Australian players and specialized forums.
Conclusion:
- It is safer for Australians to only play on platforms that have an Australian licence or official permit to operate in the country. Foreign licenses, even for well-known brands, do not protect the player from legal and financial risks in AU.
