For online gamers, the importance of playing one’s favorite games on trusted and regulated platforms cannot be overemphasized. Players deserve a safe gaming environment and access to fair and standard gaming features. Online casino licenses have become a crucial tool for regulators to ensure that gaming operators maintain fair and standard gambling practices to protect users.
However, despite regulators’ best efforts to sniff out illegal gambling platforms, undercover outlets operating illegally have not been wiped out. So, it is important for players to diligently check out the legal status of casino sites before wagering their hard-earned money. Follow this article to the end as we take you through all you need to know about online casino licenses and how to check and verify them.
What is a casino license?
A casino license is a document issued by regulators to attest to the legal status of gambling sites and their compliance to gaming laws and safety protocols within a given jurisdiction. For players, a casino license doesn’t just authenticate the legality of a platform but builds trust and confidence.
Regulators ensure gambling platforms meet standard practices as prevalent in the industry before they are issued a license to operate. There are also periodic checks to ensure continuous compliance with the rules, or the license is revoked. Hence, the possibility of seeing a casino without license even though it was once under the regulatory purview of a licensing body.
Popular licensing jurisdictions
Online gaming regulators are government-authorized agencies charged with overseeing the operation of gambling platforms. There are over 100 different licensing jurisdictions, each closely linked to the government in the specific region. Below are some of the most renowned regulators offering gambling licenses to gaming platforms:
UK Gambling Commission
The UK Gambling Commission was founded on September 1, 2007. It has its headquarters in Victor Square, Birmingham, with branches all over the UK. Charged with the role of regulating gaming laws in Great Britain, it oversees the operations of gambling platforms in the country.
Most gaming platforms operating within the UK jurisdiction secure their license from the Commission on fixed charges. Casino operators are charged between £938 and £4,224 for registration, depending on their Gross Gambling Yields (GGY). Annual renewal fees range from £2,406 to £4,199. The commission can also revoke licenses of non-complying casino platforms.
Curacao eGaming
Curacao eGaming is another popular iGaming licensing regulator and has existed since 1996. It operates in Malta and Curacao, regulating and offering licenses to iGaming operators in the two countries. It charges a fee of €20,000 and is known for its quick authorization process. Notably, Curacao eGaming is also known for its less stringent measures for registration, making it operator’s favorite licensing regulator.
Over 500 online gaming platforms have been licensed by the platform. However, due to its less rigorous measures compared to other regulators, its license lacks prestige.
Malta Gaming Authority
Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) oversees the operation of online gaming platforms in Malta. It issues and revokes online casino licenses. Gambling sites with MGA licenses operate in the country, including other countries in the European Union. Unlike its Curacao counterpart, the Malta Gaming Authority takes a relatively longer time to approve operator licenses. The estimated duration for approval is 12 to 16 weeks (about 3 and a half months), and applicants are required to pull an initial casino license cost of €40,000 or more. Application fees vary from €20,000 to €500,000 with an annual renewal fee of €25,000.
Kahnawake Gaming Commission
The Kahnawake Gaming Commission, based in the Canadian province of Quebec, is one of the oldest casino gaming license issuersin the world. It has been issuing licenses for gambling platforms since 1999 and is known for its prestigious and reputable standing in the global iGaming industry. About 300 global online gaming platforms operating in different countries have an online casino license from the body. Registration and renewal fees for an online casino license kahnawake cost around €10,000. Procession of the application license usually takes between 2 to 3 months.
Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission
The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission is another globally recognized igaming regulator. It is renowned for its task-free regulatory framework for licensees. Holders of the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission license can operate in the UK and EU markets without being subjected to the host country’s gaming laws.
Due to its favorable regulatory framework, the Isle of Man has become a hub for the biggest global iGaming brands such as Evolution Gaming, PokerStars, and Microgaming. Application for its license costs £5,000 with an annual renewal fee of £35,000.
Steps to verify a casino license
A casino’s license shows the platform is legal, safe, and under the watch of commissioned regulators. However, some illegal gambling sites do use fake licenses to boost credibility among users. So, players should do due diligence to ascertain how authentic an operator’s casino license is for a safe online gaming experience. Follow the steps below to verify a casino license.
Visit the casino’s website
All licensed casino operations have the license of their respective regulators on their websites.
Check the regulatory body’s website
Also, regulatory bodies have the list of casino sites they have issued operating licenses. After visiting the casino’s website, confirm through the regulator’s website whether they are listed among operators with casino licenses from the regulators.
Recognizing fake licenses
A rogue casino operator is either unlicensed or operating from a fake license. Follow the steps below to decipher unauthentic casino licenses:
- Visit the website and check on the attached casino license.
- Go to the specific regulatory body’s website to check whether the platform is listed among licensees.
- If the operator is not listed among the licensed gaming platforms, this means it is using a fake license.