In light of recent media reports surrounding Australian influencers and online betting promotions, it’s important to clear the air. At LEON Australia, we believe in transparency, honesty, and responsibility in everything we do.
Some headlines have painted a picture that does not reflect who we are, what we stand for, or how we operate. That’s why we’ve written this article—not just to respond to questions, but to provide you, our players and partners, with the full story.
PROMOTIONS
Recently, The Guardian and other outlets reported that some Australian influencers had unknowingly promoted an “offshore bookmaker” called LEON Australia, without realizing it wasn’t locally licensed.
The headlines may have been dramatic—but the truth is more nuanced. The influencers involved believed they were promoting a legal, reputable betting brand. And they weren’t entirely wrong—because LEON is a licensed, regulated operator under international standards. The issue stemmed from confusion over which license counts in Australia—and whether a brand with “Australia” in its name is actually based in the country.
We’ve seen the confusion—and we hear you.
LEON Australia is the local-facing brand of LEON, a global betting operator that holds a legitimate gaming license. Our brand name reflects the services we offer to Australian users, from regional bonuses to Australia-specific sporting markets.
But this does not mean we are headquartered in Australia. We are an international brand serving customers in many countries. Our use of “Australia” reflects our focus on the region—not a claim to be locally licensed.
While this naming practice is common in many industries, we understand how it can be misunderstood in gambling. That’s why we’ve since begun reviewing and updating our naming, legal information, and disclaimers to be even clearer moving forward.
Let’s be direct: LEON operates under an international gaming license. We are licensed and regulated by the government of Anjouan, a known offshore licensing jurisdiction.
This means:
However, we do not currently hold an Australian domestic license through ACMA (the Australian Communications and Media Authority). This means we are considered “unlicensed” by Australian regulators—not “illegal.” Many international gaming brands operate this way. It is not a sign of being shady—it’s simply a difference in licensing geography.
Whether you’re playing from Australia or anywhere else, your safety comes first. At LEON, we’ve built a betting environment that encourages fun, fairness, and responsibility. Here’s how:
We do not allow underage betting. Age checks are required to create and verify an account. We’ve also published guides and resources on how to gamble responsibly, because we know how important this is—especially in today’s digital-first world.
It’s easy to label offshore operators as risky—but the truth is more complex. Here’s how LEON stacks up to some other brands:
Feature | LEON Australia | Local AU Bookmakers |
Licensing | Anjouan (Offshore) | Australia (ACMA) |
Responsible Gambling Tools | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Casino + Sports Betting | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Crypto Support | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
International Betting | ✅ Global Events | 🇦🇺 Mostly AU events |
Affiliate Program | ✅ Available | Limited |
We believe players should have a choice. And we work hard to make sure that choice is safe, fair, and informed.
At the heart of LEON Australia is a simple idea: entertainment done right. We know gambling isn’t for everyone. And it should never be harmful. That’s why we prioritize:
Our platform is built for players who value fun and freedom—but also safety.
This has been a learning moment for many—from influencers to operators to users. At LEON Australia, we’re not hiding from it. We’re embracing it. We’ve listened, we’ve acted, and we’re committed to doing better.
Trust isn’t built in a day. It’s built by showing up honestly, taking responsibility, and improving where it matters most. That’s exactly what we’re doing—and we invite you to hold us to it. If you have questions, concerns, or feedback, our support team is here 24/7. We’re not just a betting brand. We’re a people-first platform that cares about doing things right.
Visit our Help Center or connect with us via Live Chat for answers about:
We’re ready to talk. And we’re proud to show who we really are.
