Since there are numerous fraudulent sites available, verifying the license of an online casino should be carried out before creating an account and depositing your money. Being vigilant is essential for online safety and enjoyment. Online gambling can be a great experience, so long as it’s with a licensed casino. This is because a license ensures all games are fair, transactions are secure, and payouts happen promptly. Unlicensed casinos are more likely to mistreat their players.
This guide shall take you through everything you need to know on how to verify a casino license and the differences between some authorities, how to spot red flags such as fake or expired licenses, and what to do if you find yourself a victim of a scam perpetrated by an unlicensed casino..
It's essential to verify an Online Casino's License
It's important to understand the risks associated with online casinos and gaming. Sadly, many operate illegally without any regulatory oversight. Rogue operators often don’t pay player winnings. In the absence of a license, players have less recourse when things go awry.
Scam casinos can lure players into depositing funds by showing a fake Gaming Authority license on their sites. They create a "verification link" to a phishing page that mimics an official regulator's page, thus persuading players that they are dealing with a legitimate body.
On the other hand, bona fide casinos are subject to significant safeguards designed to protect player interests. Some of these include imposing certified RNG tests that must be conducted frequently by independent organizations, such as eCOGRA and iTech Labs.
Remember that, in the effort to deceive you, some operators may show a false license or one that has expired. Therefore, if you want to be sure, check the permit yourself in the official database of the regulator and never trust any link or piece of information presented on the casino's website.
The most common Licensing Authorities
The first thing to look for when verifying the legitimacy of an online casino is its license information. The best operators will proudly display this information somewhere pretty visible, usually at the very bottom of their site.
This is a list of some of the more well-known online gambling licensing authorities that you may come across.
Licensing authority |
Jurisdiction |
Official verification link or website |
Comments |
UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) |
Great Britain, certain international markets, if no local restrictions |
Gold standard: strict player protections. The most sought-after license. |
|
Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) |
Malta, certain international markets, if no local restrictions, covers non-EU markets where gambling is permitted or not regulated; |
Rigorous audits. |
|
Curaçao eGaming |
Specific international markets, if no local restrictions. While Curaçao licenses can technically be applied locally, online gambling is restricted under Curaçao law, rendering the permit effectively invalid for local players. |
Common but weak oversight, with a high risk of scams. |
|
Gibraltar Gambling Commission (GGC) |
Gibraltar, Great Britain, specific international markets, if no local restrictions |
https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/finance-gaming-and-regulations/remote-gambling#ancla15 |
Trusted for UK/EU markets. High authority. |
Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC) |
Alderney (Channel Islands), specific international markets, if no local restrictions |
Niche but reputable. |
|
Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission |
Isle of Man, specific international markets, if no local restrictions |
https://www.isleofmangsc.com/gambling/general-supervision/online-gambling-licensee-register/ |
Strong jurisdiction and strong tech-focused regulation (allows crypto and blockchain) |
Kahnawake Gaming Commission |
The Kahnawake region, Quebec (Canada). Licenses do not automatically apply to other Canadian provinces, which have their own regulators. |
https://gamingcommission.ca/interactive-gaming/permit-holders/ |
Strong reputation in North America. |
Swedish Gambling Authority (Spelinspektionen) |
Sweden only |
Regulates all Swedish-facing casinos, online and offline. Unlike the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) license, no authority in rest of the EU. |
|
Danish Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden) |
Denmark only |
Mandatory for Danish operators. Unlike the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) license, no authority in rest of the EU. |
|
Costa Rica Directorate of Offshore Gaming |
Specific international markets, if no local restrictions. Does not cover Costa Rica itself. |
No registry |
Costa Rica's registration is a tax ID, not a gambling license. It provides zero player protections or oversight. |
How jurisdiction works
An online gambling company doesn't get licensed just from the country in which it operates. It’s possible for a license to cover international territory if local laws permit. For example, a UK gaming license is primarily intended for Great Britain, but can also serve international territories if the country in question has no restrictions on foreign gambling operators. However, even when operators accept players from other jurisdictions or places where local casino laws permit it, they must still meet the strict UKGC criteria. For most regulated markets, however, a local license is required.
Additionally, just because casinos are licensed in a particular jurisdiction does not mean they will be exempt from local laws, especially when gambling is outright illegal. This is the case in the majority of areas in Curacao. And for Costa Rica. Online casinos are authorized to get licenses and permits from various jurisdictions, irrespective of their place of origin. Online casinos can also obtain licenses from multiple jurisdictions, regardless of where they are headquartered.
Multiple licenses:
Take this example. The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) requires all casinos operating in that market to hold a UK license and comply with its strict regulations. However, a UK-licensed operator can acquire additional licenses to expand its market reach—for instance, a casino will hold a license from the UKGC for UK players, from the MGA for EU players, and a third license, such as one from Curaçao, to gain wider global exposure. This practice of multiple licensing is practiced by casinos that legally operate in other jurisdictions while fulfilling their local requirements.
But,
A casino cannot simply use an MGA or Curaçao license to target UK players in Great Britain, as it must have its license issued by the UKGC. If a "UK casino" holds an MGA license (without a UKGC), it is considered illegal in the UK.
Step-by-step guide to verify a casino license
1. Looking for the license number on the online casino
To identify a license, go to the casino's website and check the footer for license information. You should see text naming the regulatory authority and/or a logo. A license number is generally provided.
Are you a frequent traveler who takes the casino along during your trips while using a VPN? Check which regulator's logo appears when you are in different countries, and also which license appears when you log in. Some casinos switch licenses based on your country of residence. So, check what you see based on your IP address, as well as once you are logged in. If you see casinos holding more than one license, enabling them to target players in different countries, always play under the strongest license. For instance, if you are in the EU, ensure you are licensed under the MGA or UKGC and not the Curaçao regulator. Recognizing the regulator should indicate just how much security can be expected.
2. Checking on the licensing authority website
Enter the license number in the licensee register section on the country's site. For example, to verify if an online casino is indeed regulated in Malta by the MGA, visit mga.org.mt/license-hub/licensee-register/.
When reviewing information from the official regulator database, exercise caution. Of course, you want to ensure that the exact name and website URL of the casino in the official register match the one you are seeing. Double-check the license type to make sure that you are protected for the games you want to play, since a license for poker might not cover anything in this casino, for example. Some essential information to look for includes the UK Gambling Authority's license number, such as 003-123456-N-789654-001. Malta: MGA/B2C/123/2001 Curacao eGaming: numbers like 365/JAZ, 1668/JAZ`). But the format has changed from 2024 to an alphanumeric I.D.
3. Compare the online casino information with the licensing authority
The data must correspond to the information published on the casino's website. The footer may not contain all of this information. In such cases, other sections of the casino's website or perhaps its terms and conditions must be checked because it is through the terms and conditions that you can confirm something such as the name of the parent company, a domain name, or another trading name related to that entity.
After confirming the license, it is best to verify if there are other suspicious points. Exercise caution if the permit is issued under the name of a company other than the casino brand itself; this is something white-label operators excel at. Also, ensure the casino website uses genuine SSL encryption (look for "https://" in the URL bar). Additionally, you can also try searching for player reviews by googling keywords such as "[Casino Name] + scam" to see if others have had any issues with this operator.
4. Seek additional establishing marks
Alongside the licensing authority, the logos of the labs can be clicked on to redirect you to an up-to-date report on the official website of the labs, confirming that the labs have, on a regular basis, certified the payout percentages of these casino games.
The benefit of checking a license
Confirming the correct licensing of casinos is the best way to keep you from being scammed. With a UKGC or MGA license, you at least have a formal avenue to submit your grievance.
A licensed casino will use a Certified RNG that has been regularly tested and verified by an independent agency, such as eCOGRA and iTech Labs. These casinos must also keep the finances of the players in a trust account, conduct anti-money laundering processes, and set up channels whereby the licensed authority may resolve disputes.
Illicit operators try to forge their licenses. They tend to display expired licenses, create nonexistent license numbers, or set up fake regulator sites that look genuine until you check with the real Regulator.
Not all licenses are equal
Curacao eGaming licenses shall always carry a higher risk for gamblers. They are relatively easy to get, offering little to no player protection; hence, they attract operators with less-than-reputable brands. Many scam casinos fly under the flag of Curacao licenses, and thus, caution is necessary. To check, you can visit the official Curacao licensee portal and search for the license number, but do bear in mind that a valid Curacao license doesn't necessarily mean that a casino will be reputable.
To name a few other authorities, the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority and the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission have strong player protection policies, while the Kahnawake Gaming Commission exercises more basic forms of oversight.
What to do if you've been scammed
If you suspect an online casino of cheating you, the first step is to gather evidence. Capture screenshots of your player account details, withdrawal denials, and casino communication. Download emails, save them in full, and collate transaction details—information that will make a strong case, such as your bank statements, PayPal receipts, or cryptocurrency payment records.
The next step will be to present all evidence to the relevant licensing body for review and consideration. Each regulator has a different process for handling complaints. Both the UKGC and MGA allow complaints to be submitted online; in contrast, Curacao's procedure tends to be less formal (most commonly via email) and is usually less effective.
If the operator continues to ignore your complaints and the regulator is unable to ensure a satisfactory resolution, consider taking more action. There are special services to guide you through the actual dispute, such as GamblerLawyer.
Players experiencing withdrawal delays should first follow the complaint procedure outlined by the casino (or, as far as possible, if the procedure is scant) and then escalate the matter to GamblerLawyer if the issue remains unresolved.
The best way to avoid all this is to check the licensing status of the casino, as licenses do expire, and some casinos continue to operate with outdated credentials. Taking such precautions will allow you to enjoy online gambling with minimized risk. Part of responsible gambling is choosing a duly licensed and reputable casino.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why should you verify if an online casino has a license?
A license creates better facilities for fair play, safeguards your funds, and offers avenues for legal redress of complaints. An unlicensed entity is far more likely to withhold your winnings in the end - perhaps with no chance for you to fight back.
How can one verify the authenticity of a casino-issued license?
Never trust any link from a casino's own website. Visit your regulator's official website (e.g., Malta Gaming Authority) and access the public licensee register. You can look up a casino by either its exact name or license number to determine if it is licensed and corresponds.
Are all gambling licenses equal in trustworthiness?
No, players' protection levels differ considerably. Strict safeguards ensure licenses from the UKGC or MGA, whereas Curaçao licenses are easier to obtain and offer very little oversight, resulting in limited player protection.
What should I do if an unlicensed casino has scammed me?
Immediately gather all evidence, including screenshots and some transaction records. Seek help from a specialized mediation resolution service, such as GamblerLawyer.