With the rise of online gaming, account and financial transaction security has become a major concern for players. It is essential to be able to trust an online casino before depositing your money and bank details. This is where gaming licences come in, which authorise casinos, game providers, and bookmakers to operate legally in a given country.
In this article, we invite you to discover how gaming licences work, their award criteria, and the most reputable licences on the market.
What is a gaming licence and how do you get one?
A gaming licence is a certificate issued by a country's legal authorities, allowing online casinos, game providers, and bookmakers to operate legally on its territory. Each country has its own licence, although some, such as Malta's, are valid in several European countries.
To obtain a licence, gaming venues must apply to the relevant authorities. Several criteria are studied to assess the casino's reliability, such as the guarantee of funds, fairness of gaming software, legal structure, truthfulness of advertisements, quality of customer service, protection of private information, security protocols for bank transactions, verification of the players' legal age, fight against money laundering, and restriction of the site for dependent players.
In exchange for taxes and often an annual fee, regulators offer a strict legal framework that protects players. It is therefore essential to check a casino's licence before registering.
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The most reliable gaming licences
All licences offer a legal framework to online casinos, but some are renowned for their severity and reliability. These include the UKGC (United Kingdom), DGE (New Jersey), MGA (Malta), and SGA (Sweden) licences, which reject half of the licence applications submitted.
There are also licences considered less reliable, as they are granted more easily and at a lower cost. However, this does not mean that these licences do not guarantee a certain level of security for players.
The most common casino licences
Here is a list of the gaming licences most commonly encountered in the online casino universe:
- Curaçao Licence: created in 1996, this licence is very widespread, particularly in French-speaking and European casinos. Its success is due to its competitive price and advantageous taxation, namely 11,000 dollars upon acquiring the certificate and paying only 2 % tax per year on turnover.
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- Malta Licence (MGA): set up in 2004, this licence is difficult to obtain but opens up access to several European countries. Licence fees vary between €10,000 and €25,000, to which royalties are added.
- United Kingdom Licence (UKGC): created in 2014, this licence is one of the most respected in the online gaming sector. Licensing fees can reach £15,000, and the annual tax amounts to 15%.
- New Jersey Licence: this licence mainly concerns online casinos and is renowned for its difficulty to obtain.
- Antigua Licence: originating from the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, this licence is recognised by other major jurisdictions and by the World Trade Organisation.
- Kahnawake Licence: well known to Canadian players, this licence is difficult to obtain but protects players on most gaming venues in North America.
- Alderney Licence (AGCG): distributed by an island between England and France, this licence is one of the most reliable on the market.
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- Gibraltar Licence (GRA): Gibraltar is a small island in the south of Spain that has been issuing gaming licences for many years. The licence fees are €39,000 per year, with very low taxes (0.15%).
- Isle of Man Licence: this British island has been monitoring casino licences since 1962. Licence fees amount to £35,000 per year, with a 1.5% tax.
Are there other reliability criteria for online casinos?
A good licence is the number 1 quality criterion for an online casino, but there are indeed other reliability elements to consider to choose a secure and reliable online casino. Here are some of these criteria:
Customer service: Good customer service is always essential! Indeed, it is crucial to be able to rely on responsive and competent assistance in the event of a problem or query. Customer service available 24/7, reachable by different means of communication (phone, email, live chat) is a guarantee of quality and seriousness for an online casino. The speed and efficiency with which problems are resolved also reflect the casino's reliability.
E-reputation: A casino's online reputation is another element to consider when assessing its reliability. Specialist sites like CasinoDoc study online casinos based on objective criteria and provide expert reviews to help players make their choice. These sites aim to help players choose a good casino, but also and above all to avoid scams and dangerous sites. It is therefore important to consult these sites and find out about a casino's reputation before registering.
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Feedback from other players: The online gaming world is small, and players generally do not hesitate to share their experiences, whether positive or negative. Gaming forums, social networks, and review sites are all platforms where players can express themselves and give their opinion on online casinos. A high number of complaints or negative reviews should alert you and prompt you to be wary of a casino. Conversely, mostly positive reviews and satisfactory feedback are good indicators of a casino's reliability.
Payment and withdrawal methods: The payment and withdrawal methods offered by an online casino are also a reliability criterion to consider. A serious and reliable casino generally offers several secure and recognised payment methods (bank cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, etc.). Withdrawal processing times must also be reasonable and respected. A casino that sets abusive withdrawal conditions or voluntarily delays the payment of winnings should be avoided.
Data security: The security of players' personal and banking data is an essential aspect of an online casino's reliability. A serious and reliable casino must implement strict security measures to protect its players' data, such as SSL encryption, protection against malware and cyberattacks, or verification of the players' identity upon registration.
Gaming licences, guarantees of security
Gaming licences are an essential element to consider when choosing an online casino. They guarantee the legality, security, and reliability of online gaming operators. Among the most reputable and reliable licences are those issued by the United Kingdom (UKGC), New Jersey (DGE), Malta (MGA), Sweden (SGA), and Curaçao. However, it is also important to consider other reliability criteria such as customer service quality, e-reputation, reviews from other players, payment and withdrawal methods, as well as data security. Take the time to find out more and compare the different online casinos before making your choice, to enjoy a safe and pleasant gaming experience.
