Who controls offshore casinos: license review (Curacao, MGA, etc.)
Offshore online casinos operate under licenses issued by regulators in different jurisdictions. These licenses define the operator's operating rules, safety standards, and dispute resolution procedures. It is important for Australian players to understand who controls such sites and how their regulators differ.
1. Major licensing jurisdictions
Curacao (Curacao eGaming)
License type: Master License and sub-licenses.
Advantages for operators: low fees, simple registration, minimum requirements.
Control: limited; complaints are addressed but rarely result in sanctions against the operator.
Player protection level: low - decisions in favor of the client are rarely made.
Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)
License type: Class 1-4 licenses depending on the type of games.
Benefits: high level of international recognition, strict standards of RNG verification, financial sustainability and data protection.
Control: regular audits, clear complaint procedures.
Level of player protection: High among offshore jurisdictions.
Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner
Features: Licenses are issued only to large and financially sustainable companies.
Control: strict supervision, mandatory reporting and audit.
Player protection level: High, but limited operators.
Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission
Features: Known for strict standards of game integrity and transparency.
Control: active supervision, the license can be revoked in case of serious violations.
Player protection level: above average.
Costa Rica
Features: there is actually no full license; only business registration is required.
Control: none as such.
Player protection level: extremely low.
2. How licence affects Australia player
IGA does not recognize foreign licenses as grounds for legitimate work in AU.
The license regulates only activities within the jurisdiction of its issuance.
In a dispute, an Australian player is forced to contact a foreign regulator.
The level of protection directly depends on the severity and reputation of the licensing authority.
3. What to look for when choosing an offshore casino
Reputation of jurisdiction and history of actual proceedings.
Availability of RNG audits and mandatory audits.
Transparency of payment terms and bonuses.
Communication channels with the regulator (availability of public forms of complaints).
Conclusion:
1. Major licensing jurisdictions
Curacao (Curacao eGaming)
License type: Master License and sub-licenses.
Advantages for operators: low fees, simple registration, minimum requirements.
Control: limited; complaints are addressed but rarely result in sanctions against the operator.
Player protection level: low - decisions in favor of the client are rarely made.
Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)
License type: Class 1-4 licenses depending on the type of games.
Benefits: high level of international recognition, strict standards of RNG verification, financial sustainability and data protection.
Control: regular audits, clear complaint procedures.
Level of player protection: High among offshore jurisdictions.
Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner
Features: Licenses are issued only to large and financially sustainable companies.
Control: strict supervision, mandatory reporting and audit.
Player protection level: High, but limited operators.
Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission
Features: Known for strict standards of game integrity and transparency.
Control: active supervision, the license can be revoked in case of serious violations.
Player protection level: above average.
Costa Rica
Features: there is actually no full license; only business registration is required.
Control: none as such.
Player protection level: extremely low.
2. How licence affects Australia player
IGA does not recognize foreign licenses as grounds for legitimate work in AU.
The license regulates only activities within the jurisdiction of its issuance.
In a dispute, an Australian player is forced to contact a foreign regulator.
The level of protection directly depends on the severity and reputation of the licensing authority.
3. What to look for when choosing an offshore casino
Reputation of jurisdiction and history of actual proceedings.
Availability of RNG audits and mandatory audits.
Transparency of payment terms and bonuses.
Communication channels with the regulator (availability of public forms of complaints).
Conclusion:
- An offshore license is not a guarantee of the same protection as an Australian one. Among foreign regulators, MGA, Gibraltar and the Isle of Man are considered the most reliable, while Curacao and Costa Rica provide minimal control. For Australians, this means that when choosing an offshore casino, the key factor should be not only the license, but also the real practice of its application.
