We offer you help to make the best choice. Therefore, we compiled this comprehensive guide to the casino licenses, laws, and regulations. Let’s get started!
When you decide to gamble online, it is essential to check if the casino is licensed or not. You must never be deceived by flashing lights and empty promises. You need to make sure your money is in safe hands before you bet.
What is an Online Casino License?
Each state has a legal authority that regulates online casinos within its jurisdiction. A gambling site can operate only if it has a license.
According to the UK Gambling Act 2005, the role of the licensing system is to:
- Prevent vulnerable people and minors from being exploited
- Ensure online games are fair & transparent
- Keeps the gambling industry crime-free
To get a license, all gambling businesses must meet the suitability criteria outlined by the legal authority. These can differ based on your jurisdiction, but it generally requires:
- Legal proof that there are sufficient finances to run a business like this
- Identity confirmation of the company applying for the license
- Evidence that the company is reliable and trustworthy
- Proof of clear criminal record
- Qualifications and the necessary experience for running a business in the gambling industry
The first step in opening an online gambling platform is getting the appropriate gaming license. This will be your valid proof that the ongoing casino business is legitimate and the winnings payouts are guaranteed.
The gaming license is required for any type of gambling activity, including games such as slots, roulette, poker, lottery, and also sports betting. It can either be country-specific or internationally available.
The Great Importance of Gambling Licenses
There is no doubt that gambling licenses are very important for both operators and players. A gaming license for gambling platforms allows:
- Purchasing great software from leading manufacturers. For example, Netent Casinos and Microgaming Sites are highly-appreciated all over the world.
- Running a 100% legal business
- Customizing trustworthy payment systems that allow gamblers to receive and make payments in several ways. Paypal Casinos and VISA casinos are some of the most popular online casino payment methods.
- Building trust with the audience for the brand
Leading Gambling Jurisdictions Worldwide
Several gambling jurisdictions ensure that gamblers all over the world are provided with safe and fair gaming. In the following, we will talk about the most notable ones:
Curacao Gaming License
Curacao has a very solid reputation and it is one of the oldest gambling jurisdictions in the world. If you are looking for a less bureaucratic and quick licensing process, then the Curacao Gaming License is the best choice.
Moreover, it is cost-efficient and entrepreneurs can reinvest all the revenue into their business. This is possible due to the 0% tax rate and 0% VAT on all revenue.
Getting a Curacao license involves following some important yet super easy steps. The first step is to create your gambling business and gather all the necessary paperwork. The next step is to submit your application and pay the application fee.
The entire process usually takes around six weeks. If the license is approved, then you can start operating your casino business.
Be Aware
Being so affordable makes Curacao Gaming License the perfect jurisdiction for startups. Thus, you should always check the Terms and Conditions of a new casino under this jurisdiction, since there are operators that might offer bonuses that sound too good to be true.
Gibraltar Licensing Authority
Under the Gambling Act of 2005, the GLA issues remote gambling licenses. It makes sure that all licensees payout winnings by checking if they respect all the customer & data protection rules.
There are some very strict requirements for getting a gambling license in this state. Note that the Licensing Authority will take into consideration businesses with experience in gambling.
Other licenses in reputable jurisdictions and a good financial condition also represent a priority. The requirements are
- Information regarding key personnel including executive managers, shareholders, and directors.
- Business control must be exercised in Gibraltar.
- Gambling products & services must be certified as well as compliant with the state’s regulatory model and standards.
Kahnawake Gaming Commission
This gambling regulator issues licenses to operators who want to operate a gambling business from the Mohawk territory of Kahnawake. The KGC has been around since 1996, and it has access to the vast Canadian market.
The Kahnawake Gaming Commission is responsible for issuing four types of certificates. Non-residents who want to start an online portal with gambling content from CIS states and other regions must have an Interactive Gaming license.
In case the business has physical branches, it conducts large-scale activities in several spheres of gambling, and if it has software developers, then it is also necessary:
- Client Provider Authorization
- Poker Room License
- Secondary Client Provider Authorization
- Key Person License
UK Gambling Commission
The UKGC is one of the biggest iGaming regulators in the industry. It overlooks all forms of gambling provided to British citizens. Under the Gambling Act of 2005, the UK Gambling Commission controls gambling in the country, issues licenses, and more.
The rules and standards for licensing are very strict. This is what gives its licensees extra credit in the iGaming industry. Don’t forget to check our list of licensed UK casinos.
To run a gambling business in the UK, you need to apply for a license through the UKGC and pay a registration fee. On the official website, you will find an online application process to streamline the process.
Please Note
It can take around 16 weeks for the UKGC to process this application, assuming you have supplied all the correct documents and information. If your application is rejected due to incomplete data, then your registration fee will be refunded.
Malta Gaming Authority
The Malta Gaming Authority is ensuring the gamblers’ safety. Established in 2001, MGA oversees and controls all gambling activities in Malta. This also includes remote-operated casinos, lotteries, sportsbooks, and more.
Malta Gaming Authority issues four licenses, and it is in charge of controlling the fairness of a wide portfolio of online casinos that operate worldwide but are established in Malta.
If you are looking to get an online gaming license in Malta, then you are required to undergo a strict application process. You will be required to submit detailed information and documentation.
Malta is a member of the EU. Therefore, it is also allowed to engage in gambling activities under a license from any other EU state. The Malta gambling legislation is very clear.
Plus, the process of interaction with this country on licenses issues is standardized. This means that it makes life much easier for casino business owners.
Alderney Gambling Control Commission
The AGCC was established in 2000. The Commission regulates eGambling on behalf of the State of Alderney. It is mandated to construct the licensing procedure. Its main focus is on gambler protection and game fairness.
The application process involves several steps and lasts for a minimum of four weeks. You will benefit from professional assistance to avoid mistakes that could lead to rejection.
If the application is successful, then a license will be issued. Yet, before the casino business starts operating, the AGCC must approve the internal control system and capitalization status.
The Alderney casinos we recommend are licensed, and therefore 100% safe to play at.
How Can You Tell If a Casino Operates Legally?
Licensing authority has a very important role in determining the trustworthiness of an online casino. To find out if a gambling platform is licensed or not, follow these simple steps:
- Check for the license logo – You must scroll to the bottom of the page and look if there is any gambling commission logo. If there is no logo, then you should immediately leave the site and look for a licensed casino.
- Verify the logo – In case there is a logo, then you must verify it by clicking on it. Once you do so, you should be redirected to the official website of the licensing commission. If this doesn’t happen, then chances are the logo is faked and that platform doesn’t have a license.
- Re-verify the license – If you access the official licensing authority site, then check for the license status. It is very important to ensure that the license is valid. You must always register on an online casino only after you have verified the license.
Tips
UK Gambling Commission features a Search Page. On this page, you can find all licensed companies, where they are based, plus the ones that are in the process of applying.
Important Gambling Laws You Should Know
Consumer Rights Act 2015
This piece of legislation that addresses UK online gambling has great importance. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 adds to the casino customer rights and obligations. Here are the specifications that apply to online casinos:
- Product quality – All products must fit the purpose you made known to their provider before actually being purchased. Moreover, they should perfectly match their description and must not be faulty or damaged upon receipt.
- Supplying a service – The service must always respect previously agreed-on prices as well as a reasonable timescale for its realization.
- Unfair terms & conditions – Licensed casinos cannot hide or leave unstated elements. These elements could either be fees, charges, casino customer rights limitations, and so on.
Data Protection Act 1998
The UK Gambling Act 2005 has extended the effects of the Data Protection Act 1998 onto online casinos as completions to casino customer rights.
- Fairness and lawfulness use – The gambling service must inform gamblers about the data it stores. Furthermore, it must describe how it will use it and if there is any other authority that can access it.
- Justifiability – Online casinos must utilize the data ONLY for a legally sound and justifiable purpose.
- Adequate use – When a gambling site stores your data, it must ensure that it is 100% adequate for the purposes the service will use it for.
- Security concerns – Data controllers must take all the necessary precautions to prevent unauthorized processing of personal data. They must also prevent accidental destruction, damage, or loss of it. This is a very important part of casino customer rights.
Wire Act of 1961
This law was initially created to work with other laws such as the Travel Act. The Wire Act of 1961 was not thought of in regards to online gambling. Yet, because of the way it was written, it is now applicable in governing the gambling industry.
- It helps the USA states enforce their laws on gambling - The first purpose of this law was to help the states in the USA enforce their laws on gambling and bookmaking. Plus, it was meant to suppress gambling in organized events.
- It totally prohibits the transmission of interstate wagering data for purposes of assisting in the transmission of wagers.
- It can be used by law enforcement to apply to the newer market of online gambling. It helps gambling sites restrict their players if the state they live in doesn’t have legalized online gambling
Where is Online Gambling Legal?
| Countries where online gambling is legal | Countries where online gambling is illegal |
|---|---|
| The United Kingdom. All games are allowed if the company has a UKGC license for online UK casinos. | Liechtenstein. Only bingo is legal in the country. While gambling is not implicitly illegal, no licenses were issued since 2011 |
| The United States of America. USA casinos are legal everywhere in America. | Poland |
| Canada. According to the Canadian criminal code, only those operators that have a license from provincial governments can run online Canadian casinos. | Monaco. Only land-based casinos are permitted in Monaco, according to the Monegasque Law. |
| Sweden. Sweden casinos are allowed to operate but under some very strict rules. | Luxembourg. Lotteries are allowed here. Yet, other types are not regulated by the state. |
| Spain. Spain casinos are regulated with licenses. | Germany |
| Slovakia. The state monopoly on gambling. Slovakia casinos can provide online games without identifying them as online gambling. | France. In France, only online poker is legally permitted. |
| Serbia. Licenses are required to launch Serbia casinos. | Cambodia |
| Portugal. Licenses are required to launch an online casino here. | United Arab Emirates |
| Lithuania. Internet gambling is allowed, but operators must adhere to various rules. | Singapore |
| Latvia. Latvia casinos are regulated by The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection of Latvia. | Qatar |
| Italy. All games are allowed and casinos are controlled by AAMS. | North Korea |
| Hungary. All online casino games are regulated by The Gambling Supervision and the Ministry for National Economy. | Lebanon |
| Greece. This state has Law no. 4002/2011 to regulate the Greece casinos market since 2011. |
|
| Finland. There is a state-owned monopoly on different casino games. Finland casinos are allowed but under some strict rules. |
|
| Estonia. The Gambling Act aims to regulate both land-based and online casinos. Also, there are many licenses. | |
| Denmark. Denmark casinos are allowed under lots of types of licenses, including slots, table games, and more. | |
| The Czech Republic. All Czech Republic Casinos games are allowed apart from the tombola, a type of lottery, and mini cart tournaments. | |
| Belgium. Online Belgium casinos are legal under Category A+ and B+ licenses. Land-based institutions can offer online services. | |
| Austria. There is a monopoly on online Austria casinos (public-private). All games are regulated under Lottery Licence. | |
| The Netherlands. Starting with October 2021, online gambling is officially legal in the Netherlands. | |
| Switzerland. All gambling activities, including offshore gambling are legal in the country. |
Important
We strive to keep this table up-to-date. However, this is not guaranteed, as things can change over time.
Brief Overview of Casino Taxation
According to sec.gov, license fees and taxes are based upon several important factors such as:
- The jurisdiction in which the casino operates
- The number of gaming devices & table games that are operated
- The percentage of the gross revenues received
- Some licenses can tax the gambler for withdrawing up to 30%, while others will not tax at all
Responsible Gaming. Casino Gamblers Rights & Regulations
While the casino players’ rights and regulations might differ from one jurisdiction to another, we have compiled a table of general rules that apply across all jurisdictions:
| Rights and Obligations | Right | Obligation |
|---|---|---|
| Do not gamble if you are less than 18-year old | NO | YES |
| Play after verification and once you have proven your identity | NO | YES |
| Always prove ownership of payment methods | NO | YES |
| Access to responsible gambling tools | YES | NO |
| Before playing, check if the casino has a license | YES | NO |
| Start a dispute | YES | NO |
| In case of a dispute, offer data | NO | YES |
| GAMSTOP self-exclusion tool | YES | NO |
| Respect the casino regulations | NO | YES |
| Respect the self-exclusion measures | NO | YES |
| Respect a casino’s internal regulations and don’t cheat | NO | YES |
| Access to responsible gambling tools | YES | NO |
| Do not facilitate minor's access to gambling | NO | YES |
| Do not Attempt to Play When Self-Excluded | NO | YES |
Final Thoughts
Online gambling is fun, but you must always play responsibly.
But it doesn’t stop here. Our extensive guide on Responsible Gambling will help you, even more, to play in a safe and entertaining environment.
We encourage every player to use the info on this page when searching for licensed gambling platforms that operate 100% legally in their country.