Online Casinos and Their Licenses, Why Are They Important?
Online casinos are popular thanks to their variety, mobility, and accessibility to players worldwide. Ask almost any better, and they’ll show you an account on their favourite online casino. These sites have no shortage of players.
Yet it may surprise you how many unregulated online casino hosts pose as legitimate businesses.
Some may suggest a license isn’t that important when playing online. Yet, licenses play a big part in the safety of the casino site and the movement of funds. See below why licenses are vital to the online casino industry and how to verify a casino license.
Online Casino Licenses
The fun of online casinos comes in part from their worldwide audiences. You can play alongside bettors from across the pond and get the latest in foreign developer casino games. Keeping banking and regulations clear can be difficult, with many online casinos catering to the world’s top 10 gambling nations.
Unlicensed and unregulated casinos ignore specific country laws and banking rules and cut corners on costs and hassles. However, top providers will unlikely turn their games over and partner with unregulated sites. Additionally, you will find more complaints online about scams, rigged games, or suspicious behaviour.
An online casino license from authorities like the UK Gambling Commission safeguards against shady online casinos. The license verifies the site can host players of that locale. This saves hosts from suspicious player activity and allows better access to games and promotions.
Holding a license gives a betting site more support and access to resources and providers. For players, it gives them a sense of security knowing their games are tested for fairness. It also means they can receive quality customer support relative to their location.
Casino licenses must be renewed, meaning the site must continually meet safety and excellence standards to hold that license. This may require a casino site to restrict some features, like sports betting, from operating specific locations. It explains why reviews claim feature access that you can’t find on the site or app.
While it can be frustrating seeing your favourite betting style restricted online, an online casino committed to regional excellence means you’re in for a safer, higher-quality entertainment experience than others.
Popular Licensed Providers
A single site can hold many licenses when supporting international players. While some sites, like American gambling sites, stick to their domestic licence area, UK safe sites may hold licenses across Europe. Each license requires different criteria, but all are dedicated to keeping online gambling crime-free and safe from vulnerable populations.
Here are some of the most common and well-known gaming authorities you will find supporting top worldwide online casinos.
- Curacao e-Gaming
- Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)
- Alderney Gambling Control Commission
- Kahnawake Gaming Commission
- United Kingdom Gambling Commission
Checking an Online Casino License
Online casinos without a domestic license can trick players into thinking it’s regulated. When a casino is licensed, you will often find a company logo at the bottom of the page. If nothing is listed, it’s a sure sign the casino isn’t regulated.
Some sites go a step further to trick potential new players by placing a false logo at the bottom. If the logo is legit, clicking on it will bring you to the licensing commission. Here, you can research the online casinos licensing status and casino complaints to avoid fraudulent sites.
If everything checks out, you’re good to go. We always recommend double-checking license status and renewal status before betting.
Play On
Verify your favourite online casino through the bottom of their website, and enjoy the benefits of betting safely online.