What licenses exist, what they guarantee and how to verify the authenticity of an online casino's license.
A license is permission from a state or specialized regulator to carry out gambling activities. It confirms that the casino:
A casino without a license has no legal obligations to players. This is the main risk.
Not all licenses are equal. They can be roughly divided into three levels by the strictness of their requirements:
| Regulator | Jurisdiction | Features |
|---|---|---|
| UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) | United Kingdom | The strictest requirements. Mandatory fund segregation, a ban on bonuses using credit cards, strict advertising rules |
| Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) | Malta | The gold standard for international casinos. Requires an audit, fund protection, a responsible gaming policy |
| Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner | Gibraltar | Strict selection of operators, high financial requirements |
| Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA) | Sweden | Mandatory limits on bonuses, strict KYC rules |
| Regulator | Jurisdiction | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Kahnawake Gaming Commission | Canada (Mohawk Territory) | One of the oldest online regulators (since 1999). Moderate requirements |
| Isle of Man GSC | Isle of Man | A good reputation, requirements close to Tier 1 |
| Kyrgyz Republic | Kyrgyzstan | Has issued online licenses since 2022. Only for serving foreign nationals |
| Regulator | Jurisdiction | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Curaçao eGaming | Curaçao | The most common license among casinos for the CIS. Minimal checks, fast issuance, low cost. Tightening its requirements since 2024 |
| Anjouan (Comoros) | Comoros | A new regulator with minimal requirements. A low level of trust |
Depending on the level of the regulator, a license may guarantee:
| Guarantee | Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairness of the random number generator (RNG) | ✅ Audited | ✅ Audited | ⚠️ Not always |
| Segregation of player funds | ✅ Mandatory | ⚠️ Recommended | ❌ No |
| Complaints procedure | ✅ The regulator reviews it | ⚠️ Limited | ❌ Formal only |
| Responsible gaming | ✅ Mandatory tools | ✅ Basic | ⚠️ Minimal |
| Penalties for violations | ✅ Up to €10M+ | ✅ Up to €500K | ⚠️ Rarely |
The license number is usually listed in the footer of the site. Sometimes - on the "About" or "Terms and Conditions" page. Look for wording like:
| Regulator | Where to check |
|---|---|
| UKGC | gamblingcommission.gov.uk - the "Public register" section |
| MGA | mga.org.mt - the "Licensed operators" section |
| Curaçao | Harder - the master license (1668/JAZ) is issued to several sub-licensees. Check via Antillephone or the specific sub-licensee |
| Gibraltar | gibraltar.gov.gi - the "Gambling" section |
With the adoption of the Law on Gambling Activities in 2022, Kyrgyzstan created a legal framework for licensing online casinos:
Read more about the legal status in our material KR gambling legislation.
A license is the first filter when choosing a casino. It does not guarantee a perfect experience, but it significantly reduces the risks. The optimal choice is a casino with an MGA or UKGC license. A Curaçao license is acceptable if the operator has a good reputation.
Always check the license number on the regulator's website. It takes 2 minutes, but it can save you money.
See our reviews of the best online casinos - all platforms undergo license verification under our methodology.
