Not every offshore casino is a scam — but the worst ones are ruthless. Here's the checklist we run before adding any site to AussiePuntersHQ.
The 12 red flags
- No licence displayed or a licence that can't be verified on the regulator's website (MGA, Curaçao eGaming, Kahnawake).
- Fake celebrity endorsements — deepfake videos of Chris Hemsworth or Shane Warne promoting the site. 100% scam.
- "Guaranteed wins" marketing — nothing is guaranteed; legitimate casinos never claim this.
- Wagering hidden in fine print — 70×+ or 99× wagering on welcome bonuses.
- Max cashout caps below A$100 on welcome bonuses — your winnings are capped no matter how big they get.
- Delayed withdrawals with vague "pending verification" messages after 5+ business days. Check Trustpilot for a pattern.
- KYC demanded only when you try to withdraw (not at signup) — classic stall tactic.
- Identical T&Cs to another casino — whitelabel clone operations that share blacklists.
- Live chat that disappears once you mention a withdrawal issue.
- RTP not displayed or games that don't show RTP in the info panel.
- Payment methods that only work one-way — can deposit by card but only withdraw to obscure wallet.
- Brand-new domain (<6 months) with no review history. Fly-by-night operations.
If two or more apply, walk away.
You cannot win back what you lose to a scam casino. The Australian Government has no jurisdiction over offshore casinos — your only recourse is a chargeback, which most casinos circumvent with crypto/PayID deposits.
How to verify a licence
- Find the licence claim on the casino (usually in the footer).
- Copy the licence number.
- Visit the regulator's website directly:
- Paste the licence number and check the licensed entity matches the casino's operating company.
Common social-media scams
- TikTok/Instagram "big win" clips — most are filmed in demo mode (no real money). The account usually links to an unlicensed affiliate.
- Telegram "tipster" groups — "we've got the rigged pokie times" — there's no such thing. Scam targeting desperate players.
- WhatsApp DMs from "casino reps" — legitimate casinos never cold-message. Block and report.
- Fake customer-support phone numbers on Google — always use the number from the casino's own website.
If you've been scammed
- Document everything — screenshots of deposits, support chats, bonus T&Cs at time of claim.
- File a complaint with the casino's regulator (MGA/Curaçao) — they can force the operator to pay legitimate winnings.
- Chargeback via your bank if you paid by card. Unlikely to succeed on crypto.
- Report to ACMA — they blocklist rogue operators from the .au DNS (eventually).
- Warn others — post on AskGamblers and Casinomeister. Public complaints sometimes unstick payments.
How we vet casinos
Every casino on AussiePuntersHQ is checked against this same 12-point list. We deposit A$100 with our own money, play through a bonus, and time a withdrawal. If any of the red flags trigger, the site doesn't get listed — full stop. See our full review methodology.
Further reading