Gambling licences & jurisdictions

Understanding how to verify a casino’s licensing status is the first step to ensuring a safe online gambling experience. Licensing information is always found in the footer of an online casino’s page. Look for a license logo or a verifiable link that, when clicked, leads directly to the regulator’s official page to confirm they possess a valid license. An online casino should have a license from this selection: 

Why do casinos need a license?

An online gambling license is arguably the most important feature of any casino as it signifies that the operator can be trusted to meet specific regulatory requirements. 

Without a gambling license, an online casino cannot legally operate. If you are playing at an online casino that doesn't display a license in plain view, the site could be illegal and therefore unsafe.

Players could be at risk of online sites that aren't being held accountable having access to their personal information and money, which is why licenses are so crucial.

Another reason that gambling licenses are crucial is because operators cannot establish partnerships with banks or payment processors without regulatory approval. Banks are aware that online casinos can be a risky business, but if they hold a license there is automatically more trust.

Regulatory requirements

Licensed casinos are required to follow rules if they want to operate. Regulators design these rules to protect players, and while the specifics may vary slightly depending on the license, here are the core requirements:

• The casino should respond to complaints quickly and fairly. 

• Responsible gambling tools should be easily accessible for players, including features like deposit limits, loss limits and a clear self-exclusion process. 

• Casinos should have contact information available in order to offer support to customers. 

• Guarantee the protection of player funds and conduct Anti-Money Laundering checks. 

• Confirm players’ identities using KYC (Know Your Customer) checks. 

• Responsibly advertise their products and follow advertising rules. 

Which license operates where?

There are slight differences between the licenses, including where they are valid and what benefits they provide. Here are the main differences between the licenses you are likely to see most often: 

Gambling license	What countries does it cover?	Key benefits
Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)	Malta, Croatia, Norway, Argentina, and more.	High level of player fund protection and a strong reputation.
United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC)	United Kingdom.	Mandatory participation in the national self-exclusion scheme (GAMSTOP) and strict affordability checks.
Curacao license	Generally accepted globally, except in countries with their own licensing requirements, such as the USA and Germany. It is also worth noting that the license itself is not valid within Curacao.	Accepts alternative payment methods like cryptocurrency and offers fewer restrictions on bonus caps or betting limits.
Kahnawake license	Canada.	An established, North American regulator with a dedicated tribunal for conflict resolution.

How to report an unlicensed casino 

If you encounter an online casino operating without a visible, verifiable license, you should immediately report the site. Contacting the regulatory body in your jurisdiction, typically via their website or email, is the most effective channel. 

For example, the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) even accepts anonymous tips on their website, making the industry safer for everyone.