How to distinguish a local casino from an international one

How to distinguish a local casino from an international one

Current on: 11 August 2025

Short conclusion

A local casino in Australia is an operator licensed by the regulator of one of the states or territories, complying with local laws and offering only permitted types of gambling services. The international casino operates under a license of foreign jurisdiction and can offer games prohibited in Australia (online slots, roulette, etc.). You can distinguish them by license, address, range of games, payment methods and mechanism for protecting the rights of players.

1. License and jurisdiction

Local casino

Australian Regulator Licence:
  • VIC —Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC)*
  • NSW —NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC)*
  • NT —Northern Territory Racing Commission*
  • QLD —Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulationи др.
  • The license clearly indicates the geography of activity, the date of issue and the validity period.

International Casino

License of offshore or foreign regulators: Curaçao, Malta, Gibraltar, Isle of Man.
The registered address and legal entity are located outside Australia.

2. Assortment of games

Local online operators can only offer interactive betting (sports, horse racing) and services permitted by the IGA. Online slots and casino games are prohibited.
International casinos almost always include slots, roulette, blackjack, poker and live games - this is the sign of an offshore operator.

3. Contact details and office

Local operators specify an Australian address, phone number and email with a domain in the zone. com. auili. au*.
Internationals use an address and contacts in another country, often without a physical office in Australia.

4. Payment methods

Local: intra-Australian bank transfers, POLi, BPAY, cards of major Australian banks.
International: cryptocurrency, international payment systems (Skrill, Neteller), transfers in foreign currency.

5. Responsible Gambling

Local are obliged to provide:
  • limits on deposits and rates;
  • self-exclusion programs;
  • links to Australian support services (Gambling Help Online, Lifeline).
  • International ones may offer formal instruments or not have them at all, focusing on the minimum requirements of an offshore regulator.

6. Rights protection mechanism

Local casino - the possibility of a complaint to the Australian regulator, a real dispute resolution process and judicial protection under local laws.
International - complaints are filed with the regulator of the country of license, often without guarantee of response or result.

7. How to quickly determine the type of casino (checklist)

1. Check the license - whether it is in the register of the state/territory regulator.
2. Evaluate assortment - availability of slots or live-casino online = international offshore.
3. Check contacts - address and phone number in Australia or abroad.
4. Learn payment methods - local systems or only international ones.
5. Check Responsible Gambling - if there are links to Australian services.

Comparison table

SignLocal CasinoInternational Casino
LicenceAustralian RegulatorOverseas Regulator
Allowed games onlineBets onlySlots, roulette, blackjack, etc.
OfficeAustraliaOverseas
PaymentLocal methodsInternational/cryptocurrency
Responsible GamblingBy Australian StandardsOffshore Minimum Requirements
Protection of rightsThrough local authoritiesThrough a foreign regulator

Conclusion

A local casino for Australians is an operator under the control of a local regulator, operating under national law. An international casino, even if it accepts Australians, is not legally accountable to local authorities and is not obliged to comply with Australian standards. For the player, the difference is critical: from legal protection to transparency of payments.