Australian Online Casino License
Find out how to apply for a casino employee licence on the Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS). Casino key employee licence. Find out how to apply for a casino key employee licence on the Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS). Resources for casino licensees Compliance forms. Form 20: Gaming licensee. Basically, the Australia online gambling license is given to bookmakers and betting houses that act in a certain region. If you need an online casino license, you will have to carefully examine the conditions made by each jurisdiction. A document that protects Australians from fraudulent online casinos was passed in 2001.
- Australian Online Casino License Verification
- Australian Online Casino License In Costa Rica
- Australia Online Gambling License
- Australian Online Casino License Renewal
Online gambling was a prosperous grey market in Australia, but everything changed in 2017. The government amended the Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) of 2001 to give the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) powers to crack down on illegal online casinos.
What the Law Says
Australian online gambling laws are quite clear and straightforward. They clearly state that providing online casino games such as poker, roulette, pokies, blackjack, and craps to Australian residents is illegal. But they remain silent about the legalities of individual players signing up at online casinos licensed in offshore jurisdictions.
The Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) of 2001 states that the following three activities are punishable offences:
- Provide prohibited online gambling services to Australians
- Provide regulated, but unlicensed online gambling services to Australians
- Provide online gambling services based in Australia to residents of designated countries
These laws apply not only to online gambling services in Australia but also in foreign countries, irrespective of whether foreign or Australian firms own them.
The IGA aims to minimize the negative impact of online gambling on residents. But it targets only providers of online gambling services, not their existing or potential customers.
Also, advertising online gambling products and services in Australia is illegal. This applies to all varieties of non-electronic and electronic media, including print media, broadcast services, Internet, hoarding, and billboards.
The Australian government also encourages residents to complain to the ACMA if they notice any illegal gambling activity being advertised or offered in Australia.
Amendments to the IGA of 2001
The Australian government amended the IGA of 2001 to solve the rising problems of problem gambling and overspending at illegal online casinos.
The Interactive Gambling Amendment Act of 2017 prohibits the following:
- Offering prohibited online gambling services to Australians
- Offering regulated but unlicensed online gambling services to Australians
- Offering prohibited online gambling services to residents of designated countries
- Advertising prohibited online gambling services
- Advertising regulated but unlicensed online gambling services
The new law also gives the ACMA the following powers:
- The ACMA can investigate whether a company or individual has been violating the law either on its own or in response to complaints.
- Associations of Internet service providers (ISPs) can develop industry codes. In the absence of such a code or if the industry code is ineffective, the ACMA can create an industry standard.
- The ACMA can bring illegal online gambling sites to the notice of ISPs and direct them to deal with these sites according to procedures established in the industry standard or industry code.
Why did the government find it necessary to amend existing laws?
Existing data from official sources indicate that Australians lose over AU$24 billion every year at offshore online gambling sites. Breaking this down to loss per capita, Australians lose around AU$1,200 per year, which is more than the gambling loss per capita in other countries. This also translates into millions of dollars lost in tax revenue every year.
Latest Developments
The government has continued to introduce measures to curb the problems of illegal gambling and problem gambling in the country.
In 2019, the government declared that laws would be created to permit residents to self-exclude from all online gambling sites licensed in Australia. This led to the creation of the National Self Exclusion Register, an effective way to minimize the harm caused by online gambling among players.
Self-exclusion is a voluntary procedure that allows players to exclude themselves from online gambling services licensed in their country for three months to an indefinite period.
The National Self Exclusion Register is just one of the measures that Australia introduced in its attempts to reduce problem gambling among residents. It also launched a systemic crackdown on illegal online gambling sites operating from offshore jurisdictions.
In 2019, the ACMA directed ISPs to block prohibited online casinos. The first online casinos to be blocked were Fair Go Casino and Emu Casino as the ACMA had received over 50 complaints about these casinos from players.
The ACMA continued to block offshore online casinos this year too. Recently, it directed ISPs to block AU Slots, GW Casino, Casino Dingo, Joe Fortune Casino, Ignition Casino, Top Bet Casino, Roo Casino, XBet Casino, and Wager Beat Casino as it had received 79 player complaints about these sites.
By blocking illegal offshore online casinos and introducing measures such as the National Self Exclusion Register, the government of Australia hopes to protect residents from the harmful effects of unlicensed gambling.
Dangers of Playing at Unlicensed Online Casinos
Australian Online Casino License Verification
The experience of being cheated by an unlicensed online casino is more heartbreaking than that of losing money while gambling at a licensed land-based or online casino.
The following are some of the dangers of playing at unlicensed online casinos:
- Unlicensed online casinos delay paying out your winnings because they want you to spend your winnings and lose them.
- They do not allow you to withdraw large amounts of money.
- They void your winnings for no particular reasons.
- They either avoid paying large jackpot wins or pay them out in small instalments.
- They use pirated versions of well-known online casino gaming software.
- They gain an unfair advantage over their players by rigging the RNGs.
- Customer support is either delayed or does not exist.
- Bonus terms & conditions are vague and unclear. Or the bonus wagering requirements are unreasonable.
- They charge high fees for withdrawals.
- Your government may block them any time, making it impossible for you to access or retrieve your money.
Any online casino that does not operate under a license granted in your country of residence is unlicensed. Even if an offshore internet casino claims to have received a license in some other jurisdiction, it will operate according to the regulations of its licensing jurisdiction.
The government of your country has no power over it. The least that your country can do is block your access to it, but it cannot help you to retrieve your lost winnings or deposits.
Read also: Most Popular Australian Online Casino Payment Methods – An Overview.
Casino Special Employee Licence
- move, exchange, or count money and chips
- operate or maintain gaming equipment
- are involved in the conduct of gaming
- work as casino security
- hold a managerial role that authorises you to make decisions
- are directed to apply for the licence.
If you are a licence holder, you are required to renew your licence every seven years.
Legislation governing Casino Special Employees:
Additional information
Your privacy
Your information is collected by Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) to be used for the purpose of processing your application and may be disclosed to other Government agencies for this purpose.
Applying for a licence
Application cost $255*:
- if you are employed by a casino, your employer will pay for your application
- if you are contracted to work for a casino, you will pay for your application.
* Fee increases with CPI on 1 July each year.
Collect and scan the below list of documents to submit with your licence application:
- a credit report issued by a national credit reporting body within the last three months.
Your name and date of birth must exactly match the official name on your birth certificate, or any name change documents issued since then - like a marriage or deed poll certificate. - an overseas police certificate issued within the past six months if you have moved to Australia within the past twelve months.
- proof of eligibility to work in Australia - this could include a birth certificate, passport or citizenship certificate for Australian and New Zealand citizens or valid working visa for non-Australian citizens.
- photo identification like your passport, Australian driver licence or an Australian Government issued photo card.
- the last Australian income tax return which you have lodged and the notice of assessment, or the overseas equivalent.
- proof of change of name documentation like your marriage or deed poll certificate, if applicable.
- any court records relating to any present or past civil or criminal court proceedings to which you are or were a part, if applicable.
A criminal check will be required by your employer after submission so all criminal charges and guilty verdicts must be disclosed with your application. Findings of guilt do not automatically disqualify you from being issued with a licence but are handled on a risk assessment basis. - current New South Wales security licence - where applicable.
Application Forms
Complete the two submission forms once you've collected and scanned all your relevant documentation.
- CAS300 Casino special employee licence probity form PDF, 1238.07 KB
You will need an authorised witness to sign and witness your signature on the statutory declaration in the Probity Form. This form is used to determine your suitability to hold a casino special employee licence. - Casino Special Employee Online Application
Attach a copy of all your scanned documents and your completed, signed, and scanned Probity Form.
Change of circumstance form
Renewal Forms
You will need to renew your licence every seven years. L&GNSW will send a text and email notification to you when it's time.
- Online renewal form - attach all documentation required and the above CAS300 Probity Form.
Criminal history check
A criminal history check is required for all Casino Special Employee applicants. This may require you to provide finger and palm prints. If you are employed by the casino, your employer will arrange this.
All criminal charges and guilty verdicts must be disclosed with your application. Findings of guilt do not automatically disqualify you from being issued with a licence but are handled on a risk assessment basis.
Assessing your application
Your application will be submitted to your employer for their review, or to L&GNSW directly if you are a contractor. Your employer will contact you if they require further information and will lodge the application on your behalf with L&GNSW.
Before granting you a Casino Special Employee Licence, ILGA has to be satisfied that you are a suitable person to hold a licence. For that purpose, ILGA will make an assessment of your:
- integrity, responsibility, personal background
- financial stability
- general reputation having regard to character and honesty.
ILGA uses the information provided in the online application, probity form, the criminal history check, and other attached documents to assess your suitability.
You may be granted a Provisional Casino Employee Licence pending determination of your application.
If your information changes between your application being submitted and the application outcome you must notify ILGA immediately by completing the form: CA0040 Casino special employee - notify/update details form PDF, 698.51 KB.
Further information may be requested before granting your licence. Failure to provide information requested by the Authority may result in the refusal of your application.
Note: If you are employed directly by a casino, contact your employer if you have a question about your application.
If you are employed as a contractor at a casino, contact L&GNSW if you have a question about your application.
Application Outcome
You will be notified via email of the outcome of your application.
A casino special employee must:
- wear a clearly visible form of identification approved by ILGA
- not gamble in the casino
- not seek or accept any gratuity, consideration, or other benefit from a patron
- you must advise in writing of any change in circumstances that may impact your licence.
Changes in contact and circumstances that may impact your licence
Licence holder must notify ILGA in writing within 14 days of:
- a change to your name or contact details
- an involvement in criminal, civil or alternative dispute resolution proceedings
- a change consisting of the obtaining of judgment against you
- a suspension or termination by a casino operator
- your exclusion from another casino
- any disciplinary action relating to any other liquor, gaming, racing or wagering authorisation, including any jurisdiction outside of Australia.
Changes in your financial circumstances
Notify ILGA as soon as possible of changes in your financial circumstances including:
- becoming bankrupt
- applying to take the benefit of any law for the relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors
- compounding with creditors or making an assignment of remuneration for their benefit
- entering into a compromise or scheme of arrangement with creditors.
Complete and submit:CA0040 Casino special employee - notify/update details form PDF, 698.51 KB
Australian Online Casino License In Costa Rica
A Casino Special Employee Licence is valid for seven years unless:
- your circumstances change, and you surrender your licence to ILGA
- your licence is cancelled by ILGA
- You can continue to work provided that your renewal application was lodged with L&GNSW before your licence expiry date.
- If you do not lodge your renewal before the expiry date then you are not able to continue working.
Speak to your employer if you do not receive an email notification 90 days before your licence expires.
Australia Online Gambling License
Renewing your licence
There are three steps to renewing your licence:
Australian Online Casino License Renewal
- Collect and scan the documents required that are outlined in the form at Step 2
- Complete the form: CAS300 Casino special employee licence probity form PDF, 1238.07 KB
- Complete the online renewal form and attach all documents and the form from Step 2. Note: you will need the renewal number that was emailed to you for this step.