How to distinguish a legal casino from an illegal one

1) Why it is important to distinguish between legal and illegal casinos

In Australia, online gambling is regulated by the Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) 2001 and controlled by ACMA. Legal casinos are licensed by a reputable authority and adhere to standards of honesty, data protection and payments. Illegal - operate outside the law, do not have transparent conditions and do not guarantee the safety of players.

2) Signs of a legal casino

1. License

License number and jurisdiction specified (e.g. MGA, UKGC, Curacao, AGCO).
These licenses can be checked on the official website of the regulator.

2. Transparent conditions

An accessible and complete section with rules, wagers, limits and bonus terms.
There are no hidden fees or clauses contrary to AU laws.

3. Certified software

Games from well-known providers (NetEnt, Microgaming, Playtech, Evolution).
RNGs (random number generators) audited by independent auditors are used.

4. Secure payments

Support for PayID, POLi, BPAY, Visa/Mastercard, e-wallets, cryptocurrencies.
SSL encryption (browser lock icon, https).

5. Responsible play

Deposit and rate limits, self-locking options.
Section with support contacts for ludomania.

3) Signs of an illegal casino

1. No license or mention of a fictitious authority.
2. Inability to verify license data or number mismatch.
3. Dubious bonuses are huge sums with unrealistic conditions.
4. No contacts or only e-mail and chat without phone/address are indicated.
5. Game manipulation - unknown providers, no RNG certificates.
6. No data protection - the site works without https.

4) How to check casino status

Go to the ACMA website and check if the resource is blacklisted.
Check the license number on the website of the specified regulator.
Explore reviews on independent platforms (AskGamblers, Casino Guru).
Check for real providers and affiliate programs.

5) Why illegal casinos are dangerous

Denial of payments and account blocking.
Identity theft and card fraud.
No player protection in case of dispute.
Blocking ACMA site with loss of access to funds.

6) Withdrawal

Legal casinos are easy to distinguish by license, transparent terms, certified games and secure payments. Illegal platforms are disguised, but always have weaknesses: fake licenses, hidden commissions, dubious bonuses. Checking casino status before signing up is a mandatory step for any player in Australia who wants to save money and play safely.