Is Offshore Sports Betting Legal?

5. Research customer reviews.

After you investigate a company’s background, look up customer reviews. Find out what real online gamblers just like you are saying about their experiences. Ideally, the reviews you read should be both positive and realistic.

The following are the biggest benefits of choosing Curaçao:

1. It’s perfect for a strap-up due to being a financially undemanding option
2. Quickest licensing process
3. Very straightforward process
4. Clear code of conduct
5. Curacao Internet Gaming Association (GIGA) is very receptive and flexible to those with an offshore gambling license
6. Card processor options are plentiful
7. It’s fully possible for you to purchase an existing business in Malta to speed up the process

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) requested internet service providers (ISPs) to block the offshore online gambling sites Zebet, Slot Vibe, Zeturf, Johnnie Kash Kings, Arlekin Casino, Tangiers Casino, Horus Casino, 7 Reels, Winward Casino, Thebes Casino, and 21 Dukes.

ACMA investigated these offshore gambling sites and found them guilty of violating the Australian Interactive Gambling Act of 2001. The ACMA started requesting ISPs to block offshore gambling sites in November 2019, and so far, it has blocked 399 gambling sites licensed in offshore jurisdictions.

Australian internet service providers have been demanded by the ACMA to block several offshore gambling sites which have been in operation illegally. Fortunately, Aussie players still have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to reputable and fully licensed online casinos.

More than 160 online casinos and online slots stopped accepting players from Australia after the ACMA started enforcing the amendments to Australia’s online gambling laws in 2017. Requesting ISPs to block offshore online casinos is one of the several enforcement measures the ACMA has implemented to protect Australian online casino players from unlicensed online casinos.

The ACMA alerts Australian online casino players and warns them against playing at unlicensed online casinos through the simple act of blocking them. Whenever Australian players try to access a blocked online gambling site, the ACMA warns them that offshore online gambling sites are not likely to protect customers from gambling harm even if they appear to be legitimate. Australian players who deposit money and play for real money at unlicensed online casinos risk losing money.

ACMA Blocks Online Lottery Services

The ACMA requested Australian ISPs to block two offshore online lottery services in November 2021. Red Fox Lotto and We Love Lotto used to sell tickets to international online lottery games in Australia without an Australian license. They were the first online lottery services to find their way to the ACMA’s block list.

During the financial year 2020 – 21, the ACMA investigated 55 online gambling services, found them guilty of violating Australian gambling laws, and requested ISPs to block them. As a result of the ACMA’s crackdown on several offshore online gambling services, there was a 90% decline in the number of Aussie players trying to access offshore online gambling sites.

ACMA Member Fiona Cameron said the authority was pleased with the results of its efforts to curb illegal online casino gaming. Ever since the ACMA started enforcing amendments to Australian online gambling laws in 2017, 147 gambling sites left the Australian market.

Whenever Australian residents try to access an online casino on the ACMA’s block list, they will be directed to the official website of the ACMA, where they can get information about legal and illegal online gambling sites.

The official website of the ACMA provides the following information:

• Register of online gambling sites licensed to offer their services in Australia
• Tips to stay safe from illegal offshore gambling sites
• Procedure to complain against illegal online casinos

Why the ACMA Blocks Illegal Gambling Sites

The Government of Australia has granted the ACMA the power to request ISPs to block access to illegal gambling sites under the Telecommunications Act of 1997. If the ACMA finds an offshore online casino guilty of serious civil or criminal offense, it has the power to request ISPs to block it.

These offenses include violations of Australia’s Interactive Gambling Act of 2002. The ACMA can block websites if they provide prohibited online gambling services to Australian residents. Prohibited online gambling services include online slots, online casinos, and live sports betting.

The ACMA can block offshore online casinos that provide services to Australian residents without getting a valid online gambling license from Australian authorities. It is also an offense to advertise prohibited online gambling services within Australia.

The complete list of gambling sites blocked in Australia is available on the official website of the ACMA.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the safety of offshore online casinos versus local online casinos. While offshore online casinos are often safer than local ones, they still put your money at risk. In many cases, offshore casinos are not subject to local government regulation, which means you’re at risk of getting fined or even arrested. Online gambling is much safer when you play in areas where it is legal.

Best Offshore Casinos For US Players In 2022

The following online casino all accept US players, have been verified to hold legitimate licensing and compliance certifications, and are subject to regulatory oversight from a respected governing jurisdiction.  They also offer attractive welcome bonuses, a wide range of games, and a sophisticated, well designed and secure online gambling environment as well as an efficient banking suite. These casinos are also known for their offshore online sportsbook, poker room, and racebook.

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Selection of Casino Games

We want to see a vast selection of casino games from any operator to determine them as one of the best choices within the casino sector. This is especially the case when it comes to offshore casinos and for players in the US, as they can open up a whole new experience for users. No two casino players will be the same and all will have different requirements and interests when it comes to casino games. As such, it is important that the operator is able to cater to these needs by offering a diverse selection of games. This would include slot games, classic casino games such as roulette and blackjack and more. The very best offshore casino sites will provide the best selection of casino games for their customers to use.

Offshore Casinos Are Becoming History

If you had any uncertainties about legality of offshore casino operators we hope this article was able to shed some light on the topic. Clearly, these casinos are bad news and you’re best off avoiding them altogether. While some of them may seem worth the trouble, this just isn’t the case when all things are considered. So, stay safe, play only with properly licensed and regulated casinos, and avoid all the problems right from the start!

Customer Support

If a site does not have customer support or they are hard to get a hold of, this is often a good sign to stay away and check a different site instead. If you find it difficult to get help for basic support, do not expect timely support when it is for something more important.

Keep in mind that many sites will have slight delays to get back to players if they do not offer a live chat option, however, if a message is not replied within 48 hours, it would be best to move on to a different site.

Regulated vs. Offshore Online Casinos

May 23, 2022

Online gambling has exploded in the past decade at both regulated and offshore online casinos. If you’re a gambler, but just sticking to land-based casinos, you’re missing out on a lot of opportunities.

The basics of online casino gambling do not change whether you’re playing at a regulated or an offshore site. However, their offerings to players, along with differences in legal environments, are aspects all gamblers should know.

The doors are open at both regulated and offshore casinos if you’re an online player. While legal codes vary depending on your jurisdiction, one fact remains: online casino gambling is legal under US federal law. 

Lock Poker

More recently, there have been various cardrooms that have run into trouble and then had to close shop. One of the most prominent examples of this phenomenon is Lock Poker, which finally ended service in 2016. The closure marked the conclusion of a slow, malingering death that saw the site’s ownership honor fewer and fewer cashout requests from players. Although Lock doesn’t go through allegations as severe as Absolute Poker or Full Tilt, the sin of refusing to cash out is an unforgivable one for the poker community.

New Jersey

Las Vegas may grab the headlines as the mecca of land-based casinos, but the Garden State is the clear frontrunner in the online world. Players looking for offshore casino alternatives can choose from more than a dozen brands like Golden Nugget Casino, BetMGM Casino, and Hard Rock Casino.

Benefits Of Offshore Casinos

There are plenty of benefits that are associated with playing online at an offshore casino compared to the more traditional route that US players may have previously followed. The first is the accessibility of them, with players being able to play casino games remotely no matter where you are. This can be far more convenient than having to attend a brick-and-mortar casino to play which you may not have time for as often as you would wish. Instead, the casino can be accessed on your own doorstep. Offshore casinos will also have a wide range of games for players to choose from, giving them greater selection than what a land-based casino may have to offer. You can also get your hands on lucrative casino bonuses that give you far more value for your money, with games being available 24/7, every day of the year. All US players are accepted by our top offshore casinos.

Offshore Online Casinos

Gambling has been a popular form of entertainment for thousands of years and is available all over the world. In the US, there are many different forms of gambling, with the majority of them offered online. Since most of the US states have laws that prohibit players from gambling in casinos, many players turn to online casinos for the thrills and chance to win some money.

While the majority of states are quite clear about what is deemed legal in terms of gambling in various establishments, the introduction of online gambling quickly became a gray area that tends to confuse players to this day. As a way to follow state laws, while also indulging in the excitement of gambling online, US players turn to offshore online casinos for entertainment anytime they want.

Page Contents

• Best Offshore Casinos
• What Are Offshore Online Casinos?
• Are Offshore Online Casinos Legal?
• Common Games Offered at Offshore Online Casinos
• Advantages of Offshore Online Casinos
• Disadvantages of Offshore Online Casinos
• What to Look for in Offshore Casinos for US Players?

Should You Consider Offshore Casinos?

There are a variety of reasons why you might want to start gambling at offshore casinos, in addition to the obvious advantages of not having to travel and the ease of being able to play via a number of various devices. If you are interested in learning more, continue reading. They provide games that are not found in real-life locations like the Gloria Victis game, often let you customise your experience, and live dealer games provide an experience that is comparable to that of traditional casinos.

World Sports Exchange

WSEX was the very first of many betting sites to falter during the original online gambling boom in 2006. WSEX gambled that players will flock to a no rake poker site, and all those players would provide plenty of liquidity for the sports-based areas to run. Unfortunately, payments to bettors started to be more slowly and slower, eventually stopping altogether. Many bettors lost their bankroll.

Cons:

• Licensing and regulatory issues — Unfortunately, not all offshore online casinos are regulated. You might find platforms presenting themselves as licensed and trustworthy operators when, in reality, they are the complete opposite. That’s why checking whether the licensing information is legit is critical.
• High withdrawal requirements — Certain sites have high minimum withdrawal requirements. So, if you’re a casual player not chasing big wins, you might find it challenging to meet the stipulations. Double-check the information and limits before making a deposit and playing games for real money.

Conclusion

Notwithstanding the scope of the harms described above, there has been no systemic action against offshore online betting and gambling websites in India. There are two underlying reasons for this.

First, questions of jurisdiction over online betting and gambling are not clearly answered in existing law. While betting and gambling is a state subject in the Constitution, and states’ jurisdiction over physical/offline betting and gambling is well established, its application to offshore online activities is debatable. As offshore betting and gambling websites operate from foreign jurisdictions, their regulation involves transboundary issues. It is critical that laws governing them should have extraterritorial jurisdiction. State-level betting and gambling laws lack extraterritorial application and are therefore unfit to regulate offshore betting and gambling.

The Union is better suited to regulating offshore online betting and gambling websites. Its competence in this regard is backed by the 276th report of the Law Commission of India. Moreover, offshore betting and gambling websites violate numerous central laws, whose enforcement is the responsibility of central departments and ministries. The Information Technology Act, 2000, which is the only statute under which particular URLs can be blocked in India, is a central law under the administrative jurisdiction of MeitY.

While a multiplicity of agencies are available to regulate offshore online betting and gambling, an enforcement bottleneck is the lack of a nodal ministry or department responsible for identifying and referring such websites to MeitY for blocking. Addressing these gaps will require structural changes, including legislative amendments and the requisite changes in allocation of business rules. It is imperative meanwhile to prohibit public access to known offshore betting and gambling websites/applications, to ensure they do not perpetrate further harm.

In the long term it is important to create a centralised reporting framework that would enable quick identification of illegal offshore betting and gambling websites, for referral to MeitY for blocking under Section 69A of the IT Act. Policymakers must also consider the unique challenges of online enforcement, recognise the existing deficiencies in state capacity, and the importance of expert participation from industry, academia and civil society.

Examples of other cross-border challenges linked to the internet, such as content piracy, would serve as a template for a system to identify and block illegal websites. In 2017 the Maharashtra Cyber Digital Crime Unit (MCDCU) was established to enable cooperation between government and the media and entertainment industries to combat piracy, with industry experts helping the police identify offending websites and draw up an ‘Infringing Websites List’ for blocking. This model can be replicated in the context of offshore betting and gambling websites.

The Curaçao Gaming Control Board

The GCB is highly respected in the gaming industry because it conducts thorough background checks and financial stress tests before it issues licences. This means Curaçao-licensed casinos usually have great reputations and a lot of money behind them.

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Conclusion

Although Canadians can gamble through province-operated gambling sites, they prefer offshore operators for valid reasons. Offshore casinos offer security and transparency. They have a wide range of games, sweet bonuses and quick customer service. What’s more, they embrace technology to provide high-quality gambling experiences.

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When playing at an online casino you’ll notice that these venues are usually licensed in foreign countries, some you may never have even heard of. Many players are skeptical about these offshore licenses, concerned with the unfamiliarity of the unknown, and we’re often asked whether it is safe to play at offshore casinos. The quick answer is yes it is 100% safe to play at verified international casinos, we explain why below.

Which online gambling services are illegal?

It is illegal for gambling operators to promote or offer the following real money online gambling services in Australia:

• slots (pokies)
• casino-style games (like poker, blackjack and roulette)
• scratchies
• in-play betting on sporting events
• sports betting services that do not hold an Australian licence
• betting on the outcome of a lottery

Illegal online gambling sites may promote themselves as legitimate and legal in Australia, targeting Australian consumers by using images such as the Australian flag and native animals.

Before you use any online gambling services over the internet, make sure it is legal.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) provides a register of legal online gambling providers licensed by the Government to operate in Australia.

Please click here to check if an online gambling operator is legal in Australia.

Please click here to see a list of illegal gambling websites currently blocked by ACMA for the provision of illegal content.