Online Casino Licenses

The iGaming industry continues to thrive at a time when other industries struggle, thanks to its ability to entertain people in their own homes and even teleport them to live casino tables.

Cloud gaming technology enables players to access casino games from almost any device, and the content is optimized for that device. But beyond all the sharp graphics and slick designs, how do players know which casinos to trust? This is why it's useful to understand the gaming license.

DGOJ Spain

As with most jurisdictions where gambling is authorized, Spain has a department specifically created to authorize, regulate, supervise and control all state-level betting activities.

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AAMS Italy

Online casino establishments based in Italy must follow Amministrazione Autonoma dei Monopoli di Stato (AAMS) regulations. This regulatory body oversees all gambling in the country, including issuing licenses and monitoring operators online. Operators that do not follow the country’s gambling laws risk losing the company’s right to offer casino and online betting services.

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Curacao

Curacao is implementing sweeping reforms to its licensing process. With license distribution historically controlled in large part by major license holders who provide sublicenses to casinos, the Caribbean Island has long offered easy-to-obtain online casino licenses to start-ups. As a result, Curacao is home to more than 450 online casinos. Curacao is one of the most reputable authorities that puts player protection at the forefront. All casinos bearing the Curacao eGaming logo are thoroughly investigated and audited. Let’s explore these online casinos, the benefits, and the drawbacks of casinos licensed in Curacao.

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PAGCOR

Online Casinos in the Philippines must obtain a license from the regulatory agency, Philippine Amusement and Gaming (PAGCOR) Corporation. The Corporation monitors and regulates all gambling in the region, processes applications, and issues licenses to approved operators. By offering different types of licenses, the agency permits live streaming for online gambling services and business process outsourcing. Any services operating illegally or failing to comply with licensure requirements may lose licensure.

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Malta Gaming Authority

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is a regulatory body responsible for overseeing the activities of licensed land-based and online casino establishments in Malta. This authority makes sure casinos follow rules, address player complaints, and fight crime. Online casino players will notice that the Malta Gaming Authority is used frequently by online casinos and there is a good reason for this. MGA is one of the most well-established and best at regulating casino activities. If you see a casino licensed by the MGA, you're in good hands. With MGA's reputable stamp, players can enjoy their favorite games without worries.

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Ukrainian Gambling License

Before 2020, gambling was an illegal activity in Ukraine. The reason for this was because, in 2009, the Ukrainian government passed a law to ban all gambling activities in the country after a casino fire killed nine people who were inside the building. As a result, several entities and many people in Ukraine demanded that gambling be made illegal. A law banning gambling was eventually passed.

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Belgian Gaming Commission

The Belgian Gaming Commission (BGA) provides oversight to online casinos and issues licenses for digital operators within its borders. Players and companies are responsible for adhering to online gambling regulations.

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Lithuania Gaming Control Authority

For Lithuania’s online casinos, the fast-expanding economy is sparking a growth in the market sector. Since online casino gambling is essential to the financial growth in the region, the Lithuania Gaming Control agency (LGCA) administers tight controls. The Authority that has regulatory control of online gambling, oversees all online gambling in the area.

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Alderney Gambling Control Commission

Curacao to Introduce Tougher Gambling Laws
2023-07-21

Curacao to Introduce Tougher Gambling Laws

The online gambling industry constantly evolves to keep up with the current realities. Recently, European regulations have changed their laws to make their markets safer for all involved. A good example is the United Kingdom, which launched the Gambling White Paper in April 2023.

Beginners Guide to Online Gambling Licenses
2023-06-05

Beginners Guide to Online Gambling Licenses

Navigating the world of online gambling can be a daunting task, especially for beginners. With so many different casinos and betting sites to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. One of the most important things to consider when choosing an online gambling site is whether or not it is licensed.

How to Pick an Online Casino for Esports Betting
2023-01-23

How to Pick an Online Casino for Esports Betting

There are tons of gambling activities you can take part in at online casinos. You can play games like slots or play some live casino games like live blackjack. You can also place bets on esports matches like the ESL finals for CSGO or the DPC finals for Dota 2.

Why Curacao Gambling License is So Popular
2022-10-24

Why Curacao Gambling License is So Popular

Licensing is an essential consideration among online casino players. This document proves that the casino is licensed and regulated by a reliable licensing body. It proves that the games are fair, and the regulatory body will intervene if the casino starts misbehaving with players’ funds and information.

Ethan Williams
Written byEthan WilliamsWriter

The purpose of gambling authorities and licenses

Gambling authorities exist to protect players from scams and to intervene where necessary in assisting vulnerable players. They also provide many services to the casinos themselves. The authorities (or commissions) regulate casinos based on their own codes of acceptable practice. A license from such an authority means the casino must adhere to a set of standards. Regulators can and do revoke licenses for various reasons, including non-payment to players.

Why check the gambling license?

From a player's perspective, the idea of checking the casino’s gambling license may seem dull, but not all online casinos play fairly. Rogue casinos exist in abundance and, of course, their specialty is making it easy for players to lose money and hard or impossible to withdraw it.

Their customer service will be unresponsive. It's better to check a casino's credentials before depositing funds into one's account.

Double check the online casino license

Players should check the gaming license of any casino website by scrolling down the home page for details. Once a player has noted which authority the license is with, it's wise to double check it by going to that authority's website and looking for the casino on the approved list. This is best done independently rather than clicking on a logo, which could lead to a fake web page.

Of course, players who stick to big-name, mainstream casinos can forego investigating them for licenses, since no reputable casino operates without one. It's players who like to hedge bets and discover exciting new places to play that need to exercise a little more caution.

There are many gambling authorities across different continents, and some are more commonly encountered than others. From a player's perspective, it's worth noting that authorities vary in the level of protection they offer.

It's always a good idea to check peer reviews and trust sites before opening a casino account. As with insurance companies, though, peer reviews of casinos and regulators tend to be skewed towards the unfavorable, so independent review sites are useful.

List of gaming licenses

Below is a brief list of some of the most common gambling licenses behind online casinos based on location.

  • Curacao eGaming: One of the easiest licenses for online casinos to acquire. The license is perfectly legal and respectable, coming as it does from one of the industry's oldest regulators, but the fact it's cheap and fast to obtain means it's susceptible to use by rogue operators. Players should seek extra assurance about casino trustworthiness. Curacao eGaming does not mediate in casino-player disputes.

  • Gibraltar Gaming Commission: Has a reputation as one of the most respected regulators, setting and enforcing gambling rules within the EU and protecting players. This regulator is an industry leader in preventing underage gambling.

  • Kahnawake Gaming Commission: Based in Quebec, this commission is the largest authority in the US online casino industry. It also regulates over 250 sites in Canada. The KGC actively protects players and welcomes complaints from them.

  • Malta Gaming Authority: This regulator offers robust player protection and safeguards against criminal activity. Many big-name casinos have an MGA gaming license, including Bet365 and Unibet.

  • United Kingdom Gambling Commission: The UKGC regulates gambling in Great Britain, including the National Lottery. It offers strong protection against unfair practices and has an easy-to-use complaint system. The commission actively helps vulnerable players with gambling problems.

  • Swedish Gambling Authority: Tasked by the Swedish government to ensure the legality of gambling, Swedish Gambling Authority aim to provide a fair and transparent gambling market.

  • Danish Gambling Authority: This governmental department works towards minimising gambling addiction and keeping casinos responsible. Danish Gambling Authority ensures that the market is kept legal and to the players penefit. They have plenty of support for people trapped in a gambling addiction.

The choice of casino license is not only critical to potential new businesses in the industry but also to players looking for creative new places to play. Thus, checking the authenticity of a license is paramount.

About the author
Ethan Williams
Ethan Williams
About

Ethan Williams, a lively 24-year-old lad from the UK, brilliantly fuses his passion for online casinos with top-notch English localisation, creating bespoke casino guides for Britain's keen gaming lot.

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