How to avoid illegal gambling sites

1. Understanding Australian law

1. Government regulators.

ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) controls online gambling and blocks illegal domains.
Licensing authorities in individual states (for example, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation) issue permits to operators.
2. Jurisdiction.
An online casino must have a license issued in Australia or in a recognized international regulator with the mandatory presence of a legal partner in Australia.

2. Signs of an illegal site

1. Lack of license information.

There is no clear link to the regulator and license number on the home page.
There are no scans or references to RNG certificates and financial statements.
2. Questionable domain.

Use of non-standard zones: '.ru', '.pl', '.bet' without turnover in '.com. au 'or' .au '.
Frequent URL changes or numerous redirects to unknown partner pages.
3. Lack of local support.

No Australian phone number, international call centres only or chatbot only.
Support responds with a long delay or in English with errors.
4. Opaque payment methods.

Only cryptocurrencies or anonymous e-wallets are offered without the option of bank transfers, Australian cards or BPAY.
Delays in verification of documents over 72 hours and slurred unsubscribes when requesting payments.

3. How to check the site before registering

1. Search for a license in official registers.

Go to the ACMA website and enter the domain name in the registry of blocked or licensed operators.
Check license numbers on state sites and compare with this number on the resource.
2. SSL certificate validation.

Click on the lock in the address bar: the certificate must be issued by an authoritative center (Let's Encrypt, DigiCert, etc.).
The certificate has not expired and matches the domain name.
3. Analysis of contact data.

Make sure you have a physical address in Australia or a branch office and a local phone number.
Check for the "About" and "Terms and Conditions" sections detailing the privacy policy and responsible play.

4. Technical methods of protection

1. Using domain blockers.

Enable browser extensions (for example, GambleAware, BetBlocker) to automatically block illegal resources.
2. Parental control and firewall.

Configure the system at the router or antivirus level (Kaspersky, Norton) to filter the list of prohibited addresses.
3. Mobile applications only from official stores.

Download apps exclusively from the App Store or Google Play, check the rating and number of downloads.
Disable installation from "unknown sources" in Android settings.

5. Financial security

1. Checking payment gateways.

Official sites integrate BPAY, POLi, PayID, Visa/Mastercard credit cards under an Australian bank.
Lack of commission from the operator and transparent deadlines for enrollment.
2. Account verification.

A legal operator requests copies of a passport or driver's license, the documents confirm the address (utility bill).
The process takes up to 72 hours, with mandatory notification of the verification status.
3. Transaction control.

Set up SMS/Email notifications in your bank when transactions with gaming platforms.
Do not use general or corporate cards - get a separate card for entertainment.

6. What to do when hitting a dubious resource

1. Stop the game immediately.

Do not introduce new tools, do not try to withdraw - your requests may be ignored.
2. Report to regulator.

File a complaint with ACMA through an online form, specify the domain and screenshots of the page.
3. Record evidence.

Save the support letter header, I/O attempt dates, your login and correspondence.
4. Contact the bank.

Request to cancel the transaction (chargeback) and block further card charges.

7. Additional resources and tools

GambleAware Australia - Responsible play information and lists of licensed operators.
BetSafeList is an independent aggregator with revocations and license verification.
Self-exclusion is a centralized access blocking system (for example, Gamban) for those wishing to completely exclude themselves from the game on all platforms.

Conclusion

You can prevent the risk of playing on illegal sites only by combining a careful check of each operator and simple technical measures. Before registering, make sure you have a license, check your domain and contact information, set up blockers and device protection. If in doubt, immediately stop the interaction and inform the regulator. This approach will ensure your financial security, maintain emotional peace of mind and allow you to enjoy excitement strictly within the law.