Look up any AU-facing offshore casino's licensing authority, parent entity, and jurisdiction-registry link. Verifiable against Curaçao GCB, Malta Gaming Authority and Anjouan registries.
| Brand | Parent entity | License authority | Founded | Verify |
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Curaçao is the most common offshore casino licence, with roughly 400+ operators licensed under the Curaçao Gaming Control Board. Historically the licence was issued via a small number of master licence holders (1668/JAZ, 8048/JAZ, etc.) with sub-licences underneath. In 2023-2024 Curaçao reformed the system so that operators apply directly to the GCB rather than via a master licence holder. What Curaçao licensing verifies: business registration, AML/KYC framework, RNG audit. What it does NOT verify: per-title RTP disclosures or fair-play arbitration — those are on you to check against each operator's audit reports.
Verify a Curaçao license at gcb.cw.
The MGA is broadly considered the most rigorous of the offshore licensing regimes. Operators must comply with EU AML directives, publish transparent T&C, and submit to the MGA Player Support arbitration process. Downside for AU punters: MGA-licensed operators are often EU-focused and inconsistent about accepting AU customers. What MGA licensing verifies: business registration, per-title RTP audit, mandatory player dispute mechanism, financial soundness. Verify at MGA license search.
Anjouan (in the Union of the Comoros) began issuing gambling licences around 2022-2023 as an alternative to Curaçao. It's cheaper and faster to obtain than an MGA licence. Consumer protection is weaker than MGA and roughly comparable to Curaçao pre-reform. Verify via the Anjouan Betting Commission's registry.
Kahnawake (Mohawk Territory in Canada) licences a small number of operators. Uncommon among AU-facing casinos. Verify at gamingcommission.ca.
Under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA), the ACMA does not licence online casino products. Australian punters using offshore casinos are operating in a legal grey area on the operator's side (the operator is prohibited from targeting AU, but the individual player is not criminalised). AU-licensed operators may only offer wagering on races and sport, not casino / pokies / blackjack / roulette.
This 3-step check catches most fake / expired / recycled licence claims. It doesn't catch a genuinely licensed operator running fraudulent internal practices — for that, look at the operator's dispute-resolution track record (AskGamblers Complaint Service score, Trustpilot response rate, ADR mediator engagement).
Update policy: Registry reviewed quarterly. Corrections: editor@aussiepunters.com. Data licence: CC BY 4.0 — credit link required.
18+ · Responsible gambling: Gambling Help Online 1800 858 858 · gamblinghelponline.org.au · BetStop.
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