Use this page to help identify an illegal offshore wagering provider and report to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) quickly, safely and anonymously if you prefer.
We are not a law enforcement body and don’t investigate – click on the link below to report directly to the ACMA or watch their video on the key rules of interactive gambling.
✅ Signs of a legal site
- Legal wagering sites in Australia:
- Hold an Australian gambling licence (usually issued by a state or territory regulator).
- Display the licence details at the bottom of their website or app (e.g. ‘Licensed and regulated by the Northern Territory Racing Commission’).
- Offer only legal forms of online gambling (mainly sports betting, racing betting, and lotteries).
- Provide responsible gambling tools (deposit limits, self-exclusion options, links to help services).
- Accept Australian dollars and payment methods from recognised Australian banks.
🚩 Red flags for illegal sites
- An online gambling site is likely illegal in Australia if it:
- Does not list an Australian licence or lists only foreign regulators (e.g. Curacao, Malta, Gibraltar).
- Offers casino-style games (online poker, roulette, blackjack, slots/pokies) – these are prohibited online in Australia under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
- Targets Australians without approval (e.g. advertising in AUD, using .au branding, or claiming ‘Aussie-friendly’ while not licensed here).
- Requests payments via cryptocurrency, international bank transfers, PayPal, or obscure e-wallets only.
- Does not provide local customer support or ignores responsible gambling requirements.
- Promises unrealistic bonuses or ‘risk-free bets’ with no clear terms.
- Actively avoids government restrictions (e.g. constantly changing domain names, mirror sites).
📜 The law
- The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (Cth) bans offshore operators from offering or advertising online casino-style gambling to Australians.
- The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) monitors and can block illegal sites or take action against them.
- Australian residents are not fined for using illegal sites, but they risk losing money with no protection.
🔍 How to check a site
- Look for licence details a genuine Australian site will clearly state the regulator (e.g. NT Racing Commission, Victorian Gambling & Casino Control Commission).
- Check the ACMA register ACMA maintains a public list of banned gambling websites.
- Search the operator’s name with ‘ACMA’ or ‘licence’ to see if warnings exist.
- Test responsible gambling tools if you can’t set limits or self-exclude, it’s a red flag.
🚫 What to do if you find one
- Don’t deposit money. There is a high chance your money will be withheld and you are unlikely to see your winnings.
- Report the site to the ACMA using their complaints portal.
- If you’ve lost money, contact your bank or complain to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. For legal advice about recovery options, seek independent advice from a qualified lawyer.