With the rise of online gaming, the security of accounts and financial transactions has become a major concern for players. It is essential to be able to trust an online casino before depositing money and bank information. This is where gaming licenses come into play, allowing casinos, game providers, and bookmakers to operate legally in a given country.
In this article, we offer you an insight into how gaming licenses work, their allocation criteria, and the most reputable licenses on the market.
What is a gaming license and how do you obtain one?
A gaming license is a certificate issued by the legal authorities of a country, allowing online casinos, game providers, and bookmakers to operate legally within its territory. Each country has its own license, although some, like that of Malta, are valid in several European countries.
To obtain a license, gaming houses must apply to the relevant authorities. Several criteria are examined to assess the reliability of the casino, such as fund protection, fairness of gaming software, legal structure, truthfulness of advertisements, quality of customer service, protection of private information, security protocols for financial transactions, verification of the legal age of players, measures against money laundering, and website restrictions for problem gamblers.
In exchange for taxes and often an annual fee, regulators provide a strict legal framework that protects players. Therefore, it is crucial to check a casino's license before registering.
The most reliable gaming licenses
All licenses provide a legal framework for online casinos, but some are known for their strictness and reliability. Among them are the UKGC (United Kingdom), DGE (New Jersey), MGA (Malta), and SGA (Sweden), which reject half of the license applications submitted.
There are also licenses considered to be less reliable, as they are granted more easily and at a lower cost. However, this does not mean that these licenses do not guarantee a certain level of security for players.
The most common casino licenses
Here is a list of the most commonly encountered gaming licenses in the world of online casinos:
- Curaçao License: established in 1996, this license is very common, particularly in French-speaking and European casinos. Its success is due to its competitive price and advantageous taxation, which is 11,000 dollars for obtaining the certificate and only 2 % tax per year on revenue.
- Malta License (MGA): implemented in 2004, this license is difficult to obtain but allows access to several European countries. License fees vary between €10,000 and €25,000, plus royalties.
- United Kingdom License (UKGC): created in 2014, this license is one of the most respected in the online gaming industry. Acquisition fees can reach £15,000, and the annual tax is 15%.
- New Jersey License: this license primarily concerns online casinos and is known for its difficulty in obtaining.
- Antigua License: originating from the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, this license is recognized by other major legislations and by the World Trade Organization.
- Kahnawake License: well known among Canadian players, this license is difficult to obtain but protects players across most gaming houses in North America.
- Alderney License (AGCG): issued by an island between England and France, this license is one of the most reliable on the market.
- Gibraltar License (GRA): Gibraltar is a small island south of Spain that has been issuing gaming licenses for many years. License fees are €39,000 per year, with very low taxes (0.15%).
- Isle of Man License: this British island has been regulating casino licenses since 1962. License fees amount to £35,000 per year, with a 1.5% tax.
Are there other reliability criteria for online casinos?
A good license is the number one quality criterion for an online casino, but there are indeed other reliability factors to consider when choosing a secure and trustworthy online casino. Here are some of these criteria:
Customer service: A good customer service is always essential! Indeed, it is crucial to be able to rely on responsive and competent assistance in case of problems or questions. A customer service available 24/7, reachable by various means of communication (phone, email, live chat) is a guarantee of quality and seriousness for an online casino. The speed and effectiveness with which issues are resolved also demonstrate the casino's reliability.
Online reputation: The online reputation of a casino is another element to consider when assessing its reliability. Specialized sites like CasinoDoc study online casinos based on objective criteria and provide expert reviews to help players make their choices. These sites aim to help players select a good casino and, above all, to avoid scams and dangerous sites. Therefore, it is important to consult these sites and inquire about a casino's reputation before registering.
Opinions of 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 platforms where players can express their opinions and provide feedback on online casinos. A large number of complaints or negative reviews should alert you and make you wary of a casino. Conversely, predominantly 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 recognized payment methods (credit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, etc.). The processing times for withdrawals must also be reasonable and adhered to. A casino that imposes abusive withdrawal conditions or deliberately 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, and identity verification of players upon registration.
Gaming licenses, guarantees of security
Gaming licenses 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 licenses 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 the quality of customer service, online reputation, opinions from other players, payment and withdrawal methods, as well as data security. Take the time to inform yourself and compare different online casinos before making your choice to enjoy a secure and pleasant gaming experience.
With the rise of online gaming, the security of accounts and financial transactions has become a major concern for players. It is essential to be able to trust an online casino before depositing money and bank information. This is where gaming licenses come into play, allowing casinos, game providers, and bookmakers to operate legally in a given country.
In this article, we offer you an insight into how gaming licenses work, their allocation criteria, and the most reputable licenses on the market.
What is a gaming license and how do you obtain one?
A gaming license is a certificate issued by the legal authorities of a country, allowing online casinos, game providers, and bookmakers to operate legally within its territory. Each country has its own license, although some, like that of Malta, are valid in several European countries.
To obtain a license, gaming houses must apply to the relevant authorities. Several criteria are examined to assess the reliability of the casino, such as fund protection, fairness of gaming software, legal structure, truthfulness of advertisements, quality of customer service, protection of private information, security protocols for financial transactions, verification of the legal age of players, measures against money laundering, and website restrictions for problem gamblers.
In exchange for taxes and often an annual fee, regulators provide a strict legal framework that protects players. Therefore, it is crucial to check a casino's license before registering.
The most reliable gaming licenses
All licenses provide a legal framework for online casinos, but some are known for their strictness and reliability. Among them are the UKGC (United Kingdom), DGE (New Jersey), MGA (Malta), and SGA (Sweden), which reject half of the license applications submitted.
There are also licenses considered to be less reliable, as they are granted more easily and at a lower cost. However, this does not mean that these licenses do not guarantee a certain level of security for players.
The most common casino licenses
Here is a list of the most commonly encountered gaming licenses in the world of online casinos:
- Curaçao License: established in 1996, this license is very common, particularly in French-speaking and European casinos. Its success is due to its competitive price and advantageous taxation, which is 11,000 dollars for obtaining the certificate and only 2 % tax per year on revenue.
- Malta License (MGA): implemented in 2004, this license is difficult to obtain but allows access to several European countries. License fees vary between €10,000 and €25,000, plus royalties.
- United Kingdom License (UKGC): created in 2014, this license is one of the most respected in the online gaming industry. Acquisition fees can reach £15,000, and the annual tax is 15%.
- New Jersey License: this license primarily concerns online casinos and is known for its difficulty in obtaining.
- Antigua License: originating from the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, this license is recognized by other major legislations and by the World Trade Organization.
- Kahnawake License: well known among Canadian players, this license is difficult to obtain but protects players across most gaming houses in North America.
- Alderney License (AGCG): issued by an island between England and France, this license is one of the most reliable on the market.
- Gibraltar License (GRA): Gibraltar is a small island south of Spain that has been issuing gaming licenses for many years. License fees are €39,000 per year, with very low taxes (0.15%).
- Isle of Man License: this British island has been regulating casino licenses since 1962. License fees amount to £35,000 per year, with a 1.5% tax.
Are there other reliability criteria for online casinos?
A good license is the number one quality criterion for an online casino, but there are indeed other reliability factors to consider when choosing a secure and trustworthy online casino. Here are some of these criteria:
Customer service: A good customer service is always essential! Indeed, it is crucial to be able to rely on responsive and competent assistance in case of problems or questions. A customer service available 24/7, reachable by various means of communication (phone, email, live chat) is a guarantee of quality and seriousness for an online casino. The speed and effectiveness with which issues are resolved also demonstrate the casino's reliability.
Online reputation: The online reputation of a casino is another element to consider when assessing its reliability. Specialized sites like CasinoDoc study online casinos based on objective criteria and provide expert reviews to help players make their choices. These sites aim to help players select a good casino and, above all, to avoid scams and dangerous sites. Therefore, it is important to consult these sites and inquire about a casino's reputation before registering.
Opinions of 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 platforms where players can express their opinions and provide feedback on online casinos. A large number of complaints or negative reviews should alert you and make you wary of a casino. Conversely, predominantly 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 recognized payment methods (credit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, etc.). The processing times for withdrawals must also be reasonable and adhered to. A casino that imposes abusive withdrawal conditions or deliberately 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, and identity verification of players upon registration.
Gaming licenses, guarantees of security
Gaming licenses 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 licenses 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 the quality of customer service, online reputation, opinions from other players, payment and withdrawal methods, as well as data security. Take the time to inform yourself and compare different online casinos before making your choice to enjoy a secure and pleasant gaming experience.
