Licensing Information for National Casino
Australian-facing online gambling businesses must have a valid gaming license from an appropriate authority, and an online gambling business must comply with the terms of the license. A Gambling Authority’s supervision exists to protect registered players, and provides for mandatory terms offering protection of players with respect to fairness, security of data, and responsible gambling.
National Casino has a Gaming License from the Government of Curacao under the ordinance on offshore gaming of chance. This license governs the platform’s operations in all jurisdictions, and the terms of the license mandate the operator to uphold specific standards for processing payments and for verifying players and resolving conflicts. Below is a summary of the exact license the platform possesses, the authority of the license, and the implications of the license for Australian customers.
Licensing Authority and License Information
The operating license which National Casino holds, is issued and supervised by the Curacao Gaming Control Board (GCB). The GCB was established by the Curacao Gaming Act 2023, and replaced the older master license and established a system of more concise individual licensing. In such a system, each operator receives direct authorization from the board and is accountable to the board for ongoing compliance with the Act.
The platform’s regulatory approval calls for all forms of online casino gaming, gaming of slots, table games, and live dealer games.
Normally, a single Curacao permit encompasses all digital gaming products provided by the licensee, with certain exceptions noted in the conditions of each authorisation. In compliance with the GCB’s transparency requirements, the gaming operator’s website footer shows the licence number along with the operator’s registration details.
The following table includes the main facts of the authorisation of National Casino:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Issuing authority | Curacao Gaming Control Board (GCB) |
| Regulatory framework | Curacao Gaming Act 2023 |
| Permit type | Individual online gaming authorisation |
| Covered products | Slots, table games, live dealer, virtual sports |
| Applicable markets | International, subject to local access restrictions |
What the Licence Requires from the Operator
Operating under Curacao GCB imposes certain requirements on the platform. Examples of these requirements are using certified Random Number Generators (RNGs) for all non-live games, having player funds separated from operational funds, and consenting to regular audits by certified testing laboratories. Additionally, the platform is required to establish an Anti-Money Laundering (AML) programme as per the Financial Action Task Force standards of the given industry.
Player verification of identity is a non-negotiable requirement of the permits. For account holders, this means providing government issued identification before a withdrawal can be made. In some cases, this identification is provided before a deposit can be made. This is determined by the operator’s internal compliance policy.
Pending document verification, accounts that do not comply within the specified time frame may have their withdraw access restricted.
The following applies to every account and are a condition of the operator’s license:
- RNG certification: All games of a random and inevitable outcome must use software that is certified to comply with standards set by the GCB approved independent testing laboratories.
- Player fund protection: Player funds are held in accounts which are functionally independent of the operator’s working capital.
- KYC compliance: All account holders must complete customer due diligence prior to the account being permitted to withdraw.
- Responsible gambling tools: The operator must offer voluntary deposit limits, session controls, and self-exclusion to all registered persons.
- Dispute access: Account holders must be afforded the right to refer unresolved complaints to the GCB or an approved provider of alternative dispute resolution within the relevant license conditions.
Consequences for Australian Users
Australia’s Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) makes it illegal for Australian based operators to provide certain online gambling services to Australian residents. Unlike the Australian based operators, it is not illegal for Australian residents to access offshore licensed platforms. National Casino holds a Curacao permit and is unlicensed by an Australian authority, and therefore is not regulated by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
Australian users of the platform are using it within their legal jurisdiction, and in most cases are responsible for understanding the legal framework that applies to their gambling activities.
Players should seek their own counsel if concerned regarding the applicability of Australian law to their case due to the operator not providing legal counsel. Regardless of the jurisdiction, the platform’s AML and KYC responsibilities are applicable to all account holders.