Former Australian Government Minister De-Anne Kelly has been identified as a Co-Founder and former part-owner of offshore online casino LuckyBet, according to documents leaked from the Curaçao Gaming Authority.
The documents show Kelly was a major shareholder and Chief Compliance Officer when LuckyBet applied for a gambling licence in March 2024. Curaçao regulatory staff reportedly noted a potential conflict between the two roles.
Her son, Ian Parke, was listed as a Director and another major shareholder. Kelly and other investors held their interests through LBC Enterprises Australia Pty Ltd, which was removed as a shareholder in March 2025. A company controlled by Parke subsequently became the sole shareholder.
Kelly's involvement is notable given her previous role in passing Australia's Interactive Gambling Act (IGA). As a National Party MP, she supported the 2001 legislation, which prohibited certain online gambling services from being offered to Australian customers.
LuckyBet later came under scrutiny from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). Following a complaint received in August 2025, the regulator investigated the operator and concluded it had provided a prohibited online gambling service to customers in Australia without an Australian licence.
ACMA issued a formal warning in September 2025, after Kelly had ceased holding a stake in the business. The regulator said information available during its investigation indicated LuckyBet's owners and directors were registered in Curaçao and that it did not have access to the subsequently leaked documents.
ACMA has said it will assess the new information concerning possible Australian ownership and determine whether further action is warranted.
The Curaçao Gaming Authority is investigating the breach that resulted in its internal regulatory documents being obtained and released publicly.
The Curaçao Gaming Authority revoked LuckyBet's licence at the end of 2025, although its website remains accessible
