While the internet provides a wealth of opportunity, information and community, there are wolves in sheep’s clothing to beware of. If you enjoy playing online casino games, you’re giving your information and your money to an online establishment. You need to make sure you can trust them and that a regulatory board that governs them has given them their seal of approval.
This is where casino licenses come in and why they should be the first thing you look for when deciding which online casino to join. We’re here to help you create your casino licensing checklist. Join us as we show you how to verify casino licenses and which licenses to look out for in different regions around the world.
Why should you care about online casino licenses?
So you found a casino online with a long list of casino games you can’t wait to try. They also promised you multiple bonuses and rewards if you join. Why should you check for casino licenses instead of just creating an account and snatching up the bonuses and promotions before they expire?
You need to be sure a casino is legitimate before you register and choose a casino game to play. Some casinos can make empty promises; they can even look and feel like legitimate gambling establishments. Fortunately, the casino license will ensure the security, safety and full functionality of the casino.
Gambling and online gaming are constantly evolving. Think of the evolution of playing cards over time. Just like innovative technology changes online games, online games and cyber crime protection have changed casino laws and what it means to be a safe and fair casino. The only way to ensure that casinos adhere to these laws is to audit them regularly to ensure they continue to deserve their license.
Casino license criteria
License authorities work as gatekeepers to protect the consumer from illegal and unsafe gambling sites. Licensing boards use different criteria to determine whether a casino deserves a license. The main criteria can be summarized into these three points:
The online gambling environment is safe for gambling.
All forms of gambling in the casino are fair for players.
No underage gambling takes place on the platform.
If an online casino cannot meet these three criteria, they are not permitted to run as a legal casino. If you ever worry that the real online slots you’re playing are cheating you out of your hard-earned money, playing at a licensed casino means you can spin or deal without fear of this happening.
Trusted casino licenses to look out for around the world
There are different casino licenses for different parts of the world because each region has its unique gambling laws and legal age at which people may start gambling. Some licenses and regulatory bodies handle multiple countries with similar laws and gambling guidelines. Here are the most trusted casino licenses to look out for.
Malta Gaming Authority
Also called the MGA, this gaming authority handles many European areas and some parts of the US. Their license is used by top developers like Microgaming and NetEnt.
UK Gambling Commission
UK authorities are among the most trusted licensing authorities and the easiest to check and verify. The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is one of the largest authorities in the world. Obtaining a UKGC license is a long process that involves submitting detailed documents and information like business plans, proof of funding and financial stability, and proof of no criminal history.
The Curacao Gaming Authority
Like the MGA, Curacao covers many areas. They license casinos in Europe, the UK, the US, and Belize. This reputable license is one of the most cost-effective options that only takes a few weeks to apply for, compared to other licenses that can take several months.
The Australian Gambling License
Australia has its own specific gambling laws and guidelines. The Australian Gambling License ensures that casinos in the country meet these standards.
The Kahnawake Gaming Commission
This lesser-known license specializes in licensing casinos in the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake. They have offices in New Jersey, Montreal, London, Paris, Dublin, Singapore and more.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement
The BetMGM online casino is licensed and regulated by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE). The DGE is a law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing the Casino Control Act.
The DGE team includes attorneys, investigators, accountants and members of the New Jersey State Troopers and prosecutors. Together this team investigates casino qualifications, prosecutes casino-related crimes, and reviews and audits casino operations. They additionally test the gaming platforms used for slots, casino table games and casino floor systems.
Thanks to the DGE, you can rest assured that you are safe and protected across all BetMGM platforms.
How to find the casino’s license
Finding an online license should be easy. After all, casinos pay large amounts of money for trusted licenses and want patrons to know their establishment is licensed and trustworthy. If you can’t find licensing information anywhere on a website, it is probably illegal.
You can find the license provider’s full name and logo at the bottom of most casino sites. The MGA uses its signature acronym with a red tick, whereas the UKGC uses its full title. The DGE uses an easily recognizable logo. Some websites will also include their license number and registration under the text for you to verify. If the licensing information isn’t at the bottom of the page, it may be found in the About Us section.
How to verify a license
If you’re dealing with a scam or an illegal online casino, nothing will stop them from using a fake license or claiming to be licensed when they aren’t. Take the following steps to verify a casino’s license.
Click the license link on the website
The license logo at the bottom of the homepage is usually a link that lets players check the license details of the casino. Not all casinos have a direct link to their license details.
Visit the licenser’s website
Many reputable licensers list all the casinos they have licensed on their websites. Some licenses are issued in the name of a larger company and not the individual casino, so research this beforehand.
Contact the licenser
If the licenser does not have a list on their website or a way to check and verify licenses, contact them. This process may take some time, but the delay is worth the wait. You can also request license information from the casino administration directly to make verification easier.
If you don’t have any luck with any of these verification methods, read reviews to see how reputable gambling blogs and websites rank the security and reliability of the casino. But if you can’t find a trusted license, it would be wise to walk away.