Casino licences, in plain words

What a licence means for you

Australia: where things stand

The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 stops operators from offering online casino games, including online pokies, to people in Australia. It is aimed at operators, not players, and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) blocks many offshore sites.

Every casino on our lists is licensed abroad, in places such as Curaçao, Anjouan or Malta. None holds an Australian online casino licence, so Australian consumer-protection bodies don’t cover them, and the complaint routes below are the ones that do. Australian licences exist for sports and race betting: that is a separate thing, and it is also what BetStop, the national self-exclusion register, covers. This is general information, not legal advice.

The licences at a glance

Many casinos hold more than one licence; we score the strongest. The licence decides where you can complain, so check it before you deposit.

Malta (MGA)

One of the strictest regulators in Europe. Casinos must answer a complaint within 10 days, or 20 if they tell you they need longer, and must offer a registered independent dispute service.

Regulator

Malta Gaming Authority

How much it protects you

Strong

Where to complain

The MGA’s online complaint form (Player Hub, Lodge a complaint), or the independent dispute service named in the casino’s terms.

Casinos on our lists

0

Great Britain (UKGC)

Strict rules on fairness, player funds and safer gambling. Few casinos that take Australian players hold it.

Regulator

UK Gambling Commission

How much it protects you

Strong

Where to complain

The independent dispute service the casino names, such as IBAS or eCOGRA. The Commission itself doesn’t settle individual disputes.

Casinos on our lists

0

Alderney

A small Channel Islands regulator with a formal complaints procedure that ends in a hearing if either side disagrees.

Regulator

Alderney Gambling Control Commission

How much it protects you

Strong

Where to complain

The Commission, in writing ([email protected] or its contact form): it investigates and gives a decision you can appeal.

Casinos on our lists

0

Kahnawà:ke

A Canadian First Nation regulator with a full-time dispute resolution officer. Don’t post the complaint on forums first: that can stop them helping.

Regulator

Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission

How much it protects you

Good

Where to complain

The Commission ([email protected] or its form), once the casino has given a final answer or 45 days have passed; within 6 months of the problem.

Casinos on our lists

1

Curaçao

Most offshore casinos are licensed here. A new law in force since December 2024 made the rules stricter: casinos must answer a complaint within four weeks, or eight if they say they need longer.

Regulator

Curaçao Gaming Authority

How much it protects you

Basic

Where to complain

The casino’s certified independent dispute service, which is free. You can also report the casino to the Authority at [email protected], but it doesn’t settle individual disputes.

Casinos on our lists

72

Tobique

A newer First Nation regulator in New Brunswick, Canada. It looks only at breaches of the licence; payout disputes go to the casino first.

Regulator

Tobique Gaming Commission

How much it protects you

Weak

Where to complain

Only through the “File a Complaint” link in the Tobique seal in the casino’s footer; a real seal opens validate.thetgc.ca. Unresolved disputes go to an approved independent service.

Casinos on our lists

7

Anjouan (Comoros)

A light-touch licence from one of the Comoros islands, with little help for players in a dispute.

Regulator

Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority

How much it protects you

Weak

Where to complain

The casino’s own complaints process, and an independent dispute service if its terms name one.

Casinos on our lists

50

Costa Rica

Costa Rica doesn’t license online casinos. A casino “licensed in Costa Rica” holds an ordinary business licence.

Regulator

None for gambling

How much it protects you

The weakest

Where to complain

Only the casino itself: there is no gambling regulator to take a complaint to.

Casinos on our lists

7

How to check a licence is real

• Find the licence number in the casino’s footer or terms
• Click the regulator’s seal: a real one opens a page on the regulator’s own site
• Look the casino up on the regulator’s site, by name or licence number
• Check the website address on the licence matches the site you are on