Bonus1 reviews online casinos and brings you the latest bonuses and promotions. This guide is an introduction to offshore online gambling, explaining why these casinos operate from remote locations and why you should avoid them.
Click below to discover licensed casinos in your location or continue to understand the nuances surrounding offshore gambling sites.
List of legal online casinos (we do not recommend offshore operators)
We only work with legal casinos and never recommend offshore gambling sites evading legal prosecution by operating from remote locations. Our list is curated to include localized casino guides that have been rated highly by our experts and users. We regularly update our bonus lists to bring you fresh deals and new opportunities.
Disclaimer: Bonus1 might receive an affiliate fee when you play at online casinos we advertise. Nonetheless, our assessment criteria and review process are never compromised by financial interests, and objectivity is maintained at all times.
Offshore gambling laws
Online casinos choose to operate offshore to avoid being subject to the laws of each country they operate in. By avoiding local regulations, they can optimize their platforms for maximum player acquisition without the danger of fines.
Offshore online casinos don’t need a license to operate in countries with local regulations, and all payments are conducted in cryptocurrency or managed by multiple offshore accounts. This practice is embraced by many operators as a cost-effective way to launch an online casino – offshore licenses are cheap, and the taxes are minimal. Pretty much anyone can get a license from Curacao, Costa Rica, Panama, or The Comoros Islands and set up an N.V. company bank account in Cyprus to safeguard the profits.
Offshore licensing authorities set the following basic requirements for casinos they approve:
- Don’t offer services in selected jurisdictions – typically the country of issue and locations that take an extremely anti-gambling stance like Australia, Arab countries, North Korea, etc.
- Comply with local gambling age limits – offshore casinos state this in the terms but usually accept anyone over 18
- Offer a protected digital environment
- Ethical marketing
- AML policies
The main downside is that when offshore online casinos fail to comply with the above rules or simply ignore players’ payment requests, the respective gambling authorities don’t extend any help.
Official gambling bodies backing offshore casino sites
At the start of the century, most online casinos operated through offshore licenses or without any license – and it was fine. Countries took a long time to come up with a comprehensive body of rules and regulations managing online gambling activities. Nowadays, most countries have either a local body in place granting licenses to approved operators or have forbidden online casinos.
Offshore online casinos can still operate semi-legally in countries without clear-cut gambling laws or local iGaming authorities. Such jurisdictions include India, Latin America, some parts of Africa, New Zealand, and Canada (except for Ontario). Elsewhere, offshore casinos break the law and are illegal to play at. However players rarely suffer fines or blowback, and the respective countries cannot do much to stop those operators from accepting new users.
So, even though licensing bodies backing offshore casinos exist, they are not legitimate or trustworthy. In our view, casinos carrying licenses issued by the following countries are not considered safe:
- Curacao
- Comoros Islands (Anjouan Gaming Authority)
- Costa Rica
- Panama
The only iGaming authority issuing licenses that permit international online gambling activities with meaningful restrictions and benchmarks is the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). However, you will never see MGA-licensed casinos operating in countries where local licenses are required, which is why it is considered a respected body.
How to spot legit offshore casinos
There are no legit offshore casinos per se. These online casinos are illegal and should be avoided. However, players located in countries without a legal framework defining online gambling should be fine engaging with international online casinos. And an offshore license is slightly better than casinos operating without any license.
I would say stick with MGA casino sites if possible. The rest offshore gambling licensing authorities don’t add any credibility to an online casino. However, you could check whether the operator holds other accreditations like BMM Testlabs or eCOGRA seals. Other aspects you should consider include:
- User ratings and reviews on public forums
- Expert reviews and findings
- Safe payment methods
- Clearly defined T&Cs
- Fair bonus rules and wagering requirements
- Officially produced and tested casino games with valid RNGs
- User-friendly platforms
- Around-the-clock support
- A minimum of 5 years track record
Some exclusively crypto online casinos have no option but to operate with offshore licenses. If you prefer keeping your gambling activities on the blockchain, you should carefully consider the above criteria to make an informed decision. Honestly, though, if you have locally licensed casinos at your disposal, stick with them instead. They have been tested extensively to receive a permit to offer regulated gambling services in your country.
Offshore online casinos to avoid
Players located in countries where online casinos are explicitly illegal shouldn’t engage with offshore casinos. Likewise, if your country has a regulatory body issuing interactive gambling licenses in place, like the UKGC, stick with approved operators.
Now, if you are located in a country with a ‘gray’ online gambling status, you should carefully assess international or offshore online casinos using the criteria highlighted in the previous section. After settling for an operator, run through well-maintained casino blacklists to ensure your pick isn’t mentioned. If the casino has passed all benchmarks, test the waters with a small deposit and hope for the best.
Red flags to watch out for include RTG or Rival software, over 5 days withdrawal processing times, over 40x wagering requirements, poorly optimized sites, and bad user reviews and ratings.
Playing at offshore online casinos
You must be 18/21+ to begin playing at offshore online casinos depending on your country. The first step is identifying a legit casino utilizing all the info provided in this guide.
Signing up involves sharing some personal and address information, such as your full name, age, home address, mobile number, etc. Online casinos ask for verification documents to double-check the information so that they don’t let underage or non-qualified users access their services.
When you complete the registration and verification procedure, you can visit the lobby on any desktop or mobile device. Due to their status, offshore casinos don’t have native apps, so you can only play using a browser.
After you have spotted a game that interests you and are logged in, you must either activate a no deposit bonus or make a first-time deposit. Online casinos support a plethora of banking options with instant payment times; they include bank cards, online bank transfers, mobile wallets, digital wallets, and prepaid vouchers. The payment limits are flexible, too, so don’t stress about the amount of money you must commit to begin playing at online casinos.
After your casino balance is positive, simply click to launch a game, set your bet level, and have fun! Hopefully, you made the right selection, and your winnings come through without hiccups.
Features most offshore gambling sites share
The iGaming industry has been steadily developing since the 1990s. The original online casinos were powered by a single gaming studio, like Microgaming or RealTime Gaming, and supported credit card payments only. Of course, playing on the move was out of the question, and support took days to respond.
Today, offshore online casinos feature thousands of games and numerous payment methods to cater to players in every market they operate in. If you spot a decent offshore casino, you might end up with more games and banking options than at locally regulated platforms. The bonuses are quite juicy too.
Here are the features you should search for when assessing which offshore casino to join.
Safety
Digital gambling sites host important information players share with them, including banking and personal details. Before joining an operator, check for advanced SSL encryption software as a minimum.
Transparency
The company behind the casino, terms of service, business address, founder, gambling help, and eligibility criteria must be clearly visible on the online casino site and easy to understand. If you spot unclear clauses or unfair rules, avoid the casino or proceed with caution.
Bonuses
The welcome bonus or package must include a first (or more) deposit bonus that boosts your money at a 100% or higher rate. Free spins and no deposit bonuses also help test offshore casinos without risking anything.
Low wagering requirements, no max winning caps, high max bet, varied game eligibility, and reasonable qualifying deposit underpin the casino’s welcome bonus true value.
Promos for existing users that casinos often extend are referral programs, VIP schemes, tournaments, reload bonuses, and weekly free spins. Regular cashback and birthday bonuses are other perks you might encounter.
Games
The bare minimum is 500 online casino games. In most cases, the lobby is 90% packed with slot machines. Live and virtual table games, scratchcards, keno, jackpots, game shows, and instant-win games are also widely available.
The quality of games and variety of features depends on the companies behind them. Top-rated casinos rent games from 20+ studios that are licensed by multiple authorities; major brands include Big Time Gaming, Evolution Gaming, NetEnt, Games Global, Playtech, Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw Gaming, and Nolimit.
‘Good’ Curacao licensed gambling sites often have libraries powered by 70+ companies, totaling over 10,000 games. Game restrictions might apply based on your location, though.
Support
Live chat is the gold standard for casino customer support. Bots might initiate the dialog but access to real agents is a prerequisite. Email support, FAQs, a Help Center, and a contact form are the main alternatives to resolve problems or ask for help at casinos. Phone support is also provided by some online casinos, but not all.
Compatibility
Most readers play casino games on mobile, which explains why offshore online casinos are fully compatible with smartphones and tablets. The user experience is identical to the desktop or laptop casino.
Progressive web apps might be available for installation via the website – but offshore casinos cannot release native apps on the Google Play or Apple App Store.
User Experience
Offshore casinos with a decent UX ensure that all main categories are one click away from the menu, the games can be filtered by provider or category, and access is instant via all devices and browsers. Registration, verification, and payments go through instantly or within 24 hours.
Responsible Gaming
One of the main reasons we stick with locally licensed operators is their provision for manual deposit, spending, and loss limit settings. You have the option to take a break or self-exclude from the casino at any point.
On the other hand, offshore casinos provide the above through customer support, which can take time. Usually, all operators include links to responsible gambling bodies and support groups on their footers.
Extras
Areas that help operators stand out from the crowd include a distinctive theme, competitive bonuses, lenient wagering requirements, unique payment options or limits, and above-board customer services.
You should also keep in mind that offshore online casinos provide different language and currency settings while featuring dynamic games, payments, and bonuses based on your location. These are positive elements highlighting that the casino considers and tries to comply with local regulations.
Offshore vs Regulated Online Casinos
| Offshore | Locally Licensed |
| Weak licenses from Curacao or Anjouan | Strong licenses issued by a local authority |
| Thousands of games from all sorts of providers | Approved games, randomly tested while operating within the country |
| Extremely lucrative bonuses, often marred by strict rules | Fewer bonuses with straightforward wording and minimal rules |
| Slow and weak support | Around-the-clock support through various means |
| Numerous payment methods and crypto | Flexible banking limits, but fees might apply |
| Can go rogue at any point | Reliable and safe |
| More attractive sites and better UX | The focus is on rounded services and native apps |
Frequently Asked Questions about offshore online gambling
What is the minimum gambling age at offshore casinos?
The minimum gambling age at offshore online casinos ranges between 18 and 25 depending on the country.
Are offshore online casinos legal?
Offshore online casinos are illegal in most countries. They are semi-legal in countries without clear gambling laws in place.
Who regulates offshore gambling sites?
Offshore online casinos operate outside local regulations, often illegally accepting players from locations where gambling is illegal. They do so while relying on second-class licenses issued by Curacao, Panama, Costa Rica, The Comoros Islands, or similar.
Are there any restrictions at offshore online casinos?
Offshore online casinos place the least restrictions on players since they operate illegally and prioritize profit. If you are 18 years old or over, they will typically let you play.
Which offshore online casino has the best bonus?
At Bonus1, we only review and promote European or locally licensed online casinos in legal markets. Therefore, you cannot find offshore casino bonuses here.
How to verify my casino account?
Online casinos verify their players’ identities right after registration or before the first withdrawal. You might need to upload a photo of your ID or Passport, an official document showing your registered address, a screenshot of the banking method used, a selfie, etc.
What payment methods do offshore online casinos support?
Offshore online casinos process transactions via debit and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, etc.), online bank transfers (standard, Trustly, Instant, etc.), prepaid cards, eWallets (Skrill, NETELLER, Venmo, MuchBetter, PayPal, MiFinity), mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay), Cryptocurrency and more. The options and currencies depend on the casino and your location.