Casino licences
A casino licence is one of the most important attributes an online casino needs to have. If an online casino has no licence at all, then you genuinely can’t feel confident that your winnings will actually be paid out.
Because of this, it’s important not just to check whether a casino actually holds a licence, but also to understand the main terms of that licence. In this piece we’ll talk in a bit more detail about casino licences – we’ll cover why they matter, explain their importance, and introduce the most popular licences.
What is a casino licence?
It is worth understanding what a casino licence is before you start using online casino services. The licence itself is proof that the casino operates lawfully and is accountable to the authority that issued it. Below we explain why casino licences matter and how to recognise a licensed casino.
Why are casino licences important?
A casino licence is a very important attribute, since a licence is what can protect a player’s interests if an ambiguous or even conflict-driven situation arises.
A casino licence essentially guarantees that the online casino operates legally and meets the set standards. Licences protect players from unfair practices, ensure the transparency of online casino games, and guarantee a smooth process for deposits and withdrawals.
Licensed online casinos are far safer, and, unlike casinos that operate without a licence, carry practically no risk for players.
How do you recognise a licensed casino?
It’s a good idea to find out whether a casino is licensed, and which licence it holds, before registering at the online casino you’re interested in. Licensed casinos must state their licence number, as well as name the issuing authority. Online casinos usually publish this information at the bottom of their website.
You can also check information about a casino’s licence in the official registers of gambling regulators. If you can’t find information about an online casino’s licence, you can contact the casino’s own customer support team and ask them to send you the licence number.
Any licensed casino will happily respond to a request like this, since online casinos always try to emphasise that they’re licensed, as it earns them greater user trust. If you have any doubts about whether a casino is genuinely licensed, look for more information online or ask questions on internet forums, since services offered by unlicensed casinos can be unsafe.
The most popular casino licences
There are many different casino licences, but some are better known and widely recognised by players all over the world. A well-known licence is an extra safety guarantee, so it’s always recommended to choose casinos whose licence has a strong global reputation.
Most countries, including New Zealand, have their own national licence, and there are also international licences that serve a wide range of different countries. We’ll cover a few of the most popular licences in more detail.
New Zealand gambling licence
The New Zealand gambling licence is trustworthy and safe, so if you play at a New Zealand-licensed online casino, you can feel fairly reassured, since if a dispute or disagreement arises, you can always turn to the Gambling Commission.
It’s worth stressing that only operators doing business in New Zealand hold a New Zealand licence, and the services themselves are restricted in New Zealand. If you’re not interested in the bonuses or loyalty programmes offered by online casinos at all, this can be a great choice, but if you would like to take advantage of these extra online casino perks, you should consider other alternatives.
Although the New Zealand licence is completely safe, it can’t guarantee complete anonymity, since payments using crypto are prohibited at New Zealand-licensed casinos. The following online casinos hold a New Zealand gambling licence – 7bet, Uniclub Casino, Cbet, Admiral Casino, Olybet, Optibet, Party Casino, TwinsBet, Betsafe and TopSport.
Curaçao casino licence
The Curaçao casino licence is an especially popular casino licence, valued by players all over the world.
The process of obtaining this licence is fairly straightforward, making it a great option not just for online casino giants but for small, up-and-coming casinos too. Questions are sometimes raised about whether a Curaçao licence can genuinely guarantee complete safety, but on the whole it has a reputation as a good, trustworthy licence, and the regulating authority is always ready to defend players’ interests.
Plenty of online casinos valued by New Zealand players operate under a Curaçao licence – for example, Gizbo.Casino, Wazbee.Casino and Immerion all operate specifically under a Curaçao licence. Users like it not just for the protection it offers but also for its flexibility – casinos holding this licence can offer a huge range of bonuses, and it also lets them accept payments in cryptocurrency.
Malta gambling licence (MGA)
Malta is known as a country where a huge number of gambling-related businesses set up shop. So it probably won’t come as a surprise that the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is one of the most respected regulators in the online casino market. The Malta gambling licence guarantees that a casino operates safely and fairly.
An MGA licence protects the gaming process itself and guarantees completely secure financial transactions. When it comes to the MGA licensing process, it’s somewhat more complex than, say, a Curaçao licence, which is why it’s usually chosen by larger, more established online casinos. Before obtaining an MGA licence, online casino owners must submit detailed financial information, prove that their game mechanics are completely fair, and commit to carefully safeguarding players’ personal data.
An MGA licence guarantees players the highest level of safety, since it thoroughly investigates user complaints. Online casinos that don’t comply with licence rules can not only be fined but also risk losing their licence altogether. One downside of the MGA licence is that not all online casinos holding it can offer crypto payments. A few well-known casinos that use an MGA licence are Betsson, Unibet and LeoVegas.
Other popular casino licences
Besides the international licences already mentioned, there are a few local casino licences worth mentioning. One is the UK casino licence, issued by the UK Gambling Commission. It’s considered one of the strictest in the world, ensuring the highest level of player protection. Another good example of a gambling licence is the Swedish gambling licence, which operates specifically in the Swedish market.
Both of these licences are very strict, but offer exceptional safety. We can also highlight licences such as Gibraltar, the Isle of Man and even Estonia. These also protect players’ interests fairly strictly and are considered safe and trustworthy.
How does a casino get a licence?
A casino licence is a guarantee of security that a casino essentially has to earn. An online casino cannot obtain one without meeting a range of requirements. Below we set out the criteria an online casino must satisfy to be licensed, and how the licensing process works.
What requirements does a casino need to meet?
An online casino that wants to obtain a casino licence has to meet fairly strict requirements set by regulators.
A casino licence is only issued if the online casino seeking it can prove its financial stability, ensure fair game operation, a responsible gambling process, strict data protection, and comply with anti-money-laundering rules. We’ll cover these key criteria in more detail.
Finansinis stabilumas
To obtain a casino licence, an online casino has to prove its financial stability. Every licensing body sets out specific capital amounts a gambling operator must hold.
Only with a certain amount of capital and financial stability can an online casino guarantee it will be able to provide quality services, including the payout of winnings.
Fair game operation
To obtain a casino licence, an online casino has to prove that all its games are certified by independent game-testing laboratories. These laboratories confirm that a casino game’s random number generator, also known as an RNG, works correctly and fairly.
Responsible gambling
Licensed casinos need to have clear responsible gambling guidelines. To obtain a licence, an online casino has to prove to the licensing body that it can guarantee responsible gambling measures – setting deposit and betting limits, giving players the option to self-exclude from gambling, and working with responsible gambling regulators.
data protection
To obtain a casino licence, an online casino has to ensure strict data protection. Online casinos need to use modern, up-to-date data encryption technology, such as holding SSL certificates. In short, an online casino seeking a licence has to guarantee that users’ personal and payment data is completely secure and won’t be accessible to third parties.
money plovimo prevencija
Casinos seeking a licence need to guarantee they’ll carry out responsible player identity verification. This is aimed at preventing fraud, money laundering and potential underage gambling. This means licensed casinos may ask players for certain personal details to confirm they’re really using their own identity.
Licencijos suteikimo procesas
The process of obtaining an online casino licence differs depending on which licence is being sought. Usually, the licensing process has a few key stages. First of all, an online casino seeking a licence has to submit an application, stating information about the company running the casino, its shareholders and so on.
The licensing body then carries out a thorough review of documents and financial reports to confirm the accuracy of the information submitted.
This is followed by testing of the games and systems, and an assessment of responsible gambling and safety measures. After these checks, the licensing body decides whether to issue the licence. If the answer is yes and the online casino meets the criteria, the online casino then has to pay a licensing fee.
What should I do if I find an unlicensed casino?
A casino licence is an extra safety guarantee that should matter to every player. Before you start playing at an online casino, you should always check whether it’s licensed and which specific licence it uses. Casinos usually publish licence information at the bottom of their website.
You can also find this information in various registers. Even so, there are still plenty of casinos operating without any licence at all. Online casinos like this aren’t considered especially trustworthy. It’s unclear whether their games are properly certified, and there’s no guarantee that any winnings will be paid out.
If you come across a casino without a licence, it’s worth thinking carefully about whether it’s really the best choice. The best move would be to look for another casino where you can play safely and be adequately protected.
Summary
A casino licence is a very important attribute for an online casino. Before playing at a casino, every player should check which licence it uses and whether the casino in question is licensed at all.
Casino licences matter because they protect players’ interests in the event of a dispute and provide an extra guarantee that the gaming process will be fair, and that winnings will be paid out if you’re successful. There are both local and international licences. Different types of licences have different advantages.
For example, a New Zealand licence guarantees complete protection, but online casinos holding this licence can’t offer any bonuses. To obtain a licence, a casino has to meet a huge number of strict requirements, which is how a company seeking a licence proves its trustworthiness – something casinos without a licence simply can’t offer.