Why offshore licensed casinos aren't always blocked
1) Introduction: Offshore casinos and Australian restrictions
In Australia, online casinos operating without a local license are considered illegal to provide services to residents of the country. However, in practice, players often notice that some sites with offshore licenses continue to be available. This is due to the peculiarities of law enforcement and technical implementation of locks.
2) Who is responsible for blocking illegal sites
ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) is the main regulator that detects violations and sends blocking orders to communication providers.
Blocking applies to domains where illegal activity is detected, not to the entire company or brand as a whole.
3) Reasons an offshore casino may remain available
1. Lack of complaints and investigations
The ACMA most often acts based on player complaints or its own inspections. If the site did not fall into the field of view of the regulator, it can work for a long time without blocking.
2. Using new domains
Many offshore operators change domain names (mirrors) before ACMA has time to detect them.
3. Priority of interlocks
First of all, sites with a large number of complaints, proven violations and aggressive marketing aimed at Australians are blocked.
4. Technical features of filtration
ACMA blocks a domain through ISPs, but it is not always possible to instantly block access to all mirrors and subdomains.
5. International jurisdiction
Platforms licensed by Curacao, MGA or other offshore regulators can run on foreign servers, which complicates the process of operational blocking.
4) Why this does not mean that playing on such sites is safe or legal
Lack of legal protection in Australia: in controversial situations, the player will not be able to apply to the local court or regulator.
Risk of loss of funds: blocking can occur at any time, including the time when there is money in the player's account.
Lack of control over the integrity of games: offshore licenses do not always provide strict supervision.
5) How ACMA strengthens control
Lists of prohibited sites that are transferred to Internet providers are constantly updated.
Measures are being taken against marketing and advertising of offshore casinos.
Cooperation is underway with international regulators and organizations to combat illegal gambling.
6) The bottom line
Not all offshore casinos are blocked at once, because the regulator has priorities and technical limitations. However, this does not make them legal or safe for players in Australia. Any game on such sites remains a high-risk area, and the only way to play within the law is to choose platforms with an Australian license.
In Australia, online casinos operating without a local license are considered illegal to provide services to residents of the country. However, in practice, players often notice that some sites with offshore licenses continue to be available. This is due to the peculiarities of law enforcement and technical implementation of locks.
2) Who is responsible for blocking illegal sites
ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) is the main regulator that detects violations and sends blocking orders to communication providers.
Blocking applies to domains where illegal activity is detected, not to the entire company or brand as a whole.
3) Reasons an offshore casino may remain available
1. Lack of complaints and investigations
The ACMA most often acts based on player complaints or its own inspections. If the site did not fall into the field of view of the regulator, it can work for a long time without blocking.
2. Using new domains
Many offshore operators change domain names (mirrors) before ACMA has time to detect them.
3. Priority of interlocks
First of all, sites with a large number of complaints, proven violations and aggressive marketing aimed at Australians are blocked.
4. Technical features of filtration
ACMA blocks a domain through ISPs, but it is not always possible to instantly block access to all mirrors and subdomains.
5. International jurisdiction
Platforms licensed by Curacao, MGA or other offshore regulators can run on foreign servers, which complicates the process of operational blocking.
4) Why this does not mean that playing on such sites is safe or legal
Lack of legal protection in Australia: in controversial situations, the player will not be able to apply to the local court or regulator.
Risk of loss of funds: blocking can occur at any time, including the time when there is money in the player's account.
Lack of control over the integrity of games: offshore licenses do not always provide strict supervision.
5) How ACMA strengthens control
Lists of prohibited sites that are transferred to Internet providers are constantly updated.
Measures are being taken against marketing and advertising of offshore casinos.
Cooperation is underway with international regulators and organizations to combat illegal gambling.
6) The bottom line
Not all offshore casinos are blocked at once, because the regulator has priorities and technical limitations. However, this does not make them legal or safe for players in Australia. Any game on such sites remains a high-risk area, and the only way to play within the law is to choose platforms with an Australian license.
