How to Get an Online Gaming License?

How to Get an Online Gaming License

What is the foremost hallmark of top-tier casinos? Someone would say it’s the diversity of the gaming lobby; others consider generous bonus offers as a checkmark of a good brand. These and other factors, indeed, play a big role in the venues’ ranking. Still, the paramount aspect that distinguishes trusted and reputable gambling companies is a license.

The licensing procedure differs for online operators and brick-and-mortar venues. Online providers may apply for a grant from any legal landscape, while offline casinos need to obey the gambling jurisdictions of the countries where they are located. Experts checked dozens of gambling facilities in Canada to recommend punters only trustworthy and reliable venues.

What is a Casino License?

A casino license is the confirmation that a company operates by the law and meets the established international standards of providing gambling and betting services. Accreditation shows that an online venue has no connection to criminal and money-laundering activities. It indicates that all playing equipment corresponds to the settled requirements and ensures fair game outcomes. In other words, a license is a sign that a facility is honest and fulfills its obligations to gamers. Customers may find out whether a brand is accredited or not by visiting a venue’s website or checking expert reviews on the Internet.

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How to Apply for an Online Gaming License

The procedure of getting licenses is not the same in different countries. Still, these key points can help online operators who plan to apply for a grant:

  • Do thorough research. Study gambling jurisdictions and corporate laws of a particular country. The research includes checking document requirements, fee policy, costs, license duration, and petition processing period.
  • Check playing equipment. Make sure that software meets the necessary standards required for getting certification.
  • Prepare financial documents. Authorities need proof of a company’s solvency to ensure that a casino will fulfill its payout requirements to clients.
  • Make a good website. A site should contain an in-detail T&Cs section, contact address, policy rules, and responsible gambling page.

The application cost varies depending on a particular gaming commission. The average annual fee rate is around $20,000. As a rule, licenses are valid within 4-5 years, after which companies will need to pass accreditation again.

online gambling licenses - list

List of License Jurisdictions

Several world-recognized regulatory bodies grant online operators. The roster of the most reputable authorities is presented below.

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Antigua and Barbuda Financial Services Regulatory Commission

The annual cost is $25,000 plus the application levy of $15,000. On average, the processing time is two months. The Commission provides two types of grants: gaming and wagering. Online operators, which offer both gambling and sports betting services, need to receive two permission slips.

Alderney Gambling Control Commission

The annual fee is £35,000 extra to the application charges of £17,500. The regulatory body offers two categories of licenses: the first category relates to local operators; the second one is given to businesses located outside Alderney.

Gibraltar Regulatory Authority

The cost varies from $25,000 to $70,000, depending on the casino type. The grant is given for five years. GRA has stringent requirements, making it challenging for some operators to get the accreditation. Gibraltar grant shows players that their customer rights are well-protected by the law.

Curacao Gaming Control Board

Curacao jurisdiction is one of the pioneers in offering gambling licenses. The annual cost is €25,000 plus the application charges of €2,000. The processing time is just one month. It is a good speed for online casino operators who need a license asap and don’t want to wait for ages to get the approval.

Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission

The one-year fee that operators have to pay is £35,000, extra to the application levy of £5,000. On average, casino owners will need to wait for three months to get the approval. The Commission offers separate grants for gambling operators, sportsbooks, and mobile wagering companies.

Kahnawake Gaming Commission

The annual cost is $20,000 plus $5,000 as the application charge. The Board offers four types of licenses, including the one on Internet gambling. The approval time is 4-5 weeks. The KGC is a member of the Memoranda of Understanding alongside several other reputable Gaming Commissions.

Malta Gaming Authority

MGA is one of the most renowned international regulatory bodies known for its stringent codes of conduct to running a gambling business. The annual levy is €25,000; the application charge is €4,000. MGA offers four classes of licenses. Casino operators that render wagering services on their portals need to apply for two separate grants from MGA.

UK Gambling Commission

Holding the UKGC license is a sign of a brand’s unbeaten reputation. The authority is mega-demanding when it comes to the requirements for gambling operators. The annual fee varies from £20,000 to £50,000. The application levy is £5,000. The UKGC offers grants for casino operators and betting companies, both online and land-based.

Dutch Gaming Authority

The one-year fee is €25,000; the approval time takes around six weeks. The Board is very reliable and offers seven grant types, including a single license (e.g., one-time lottery) and multi-year grants. The DGA approval is not easy to get, but it is a proven hallmark of the venue’s top-tier trustworthiness.

Other Casino Certifications

Several other world-recognized certification bodies determine the reliability and solid reputation of casino operators. The most popular ones are eCOGRA and ESSA.

eCOGRA

online gambling license - ecogra

This UK-located regulatory body verifies whether providers use reliable equipment to guarantee transparent game outcomes for punters. When customers see the eCOGRA mark on a gaming site, they can be confident in fair gameplay that meets the Random Number Generator principle and required RTP rate. eCOGRA also fights against underage gambling and safeguards users’ personal data protection.

European Sports Security Association (ESSA)

ESSA is a regulatory organization that verifies the trustworthiness of European online sportsbooks and betting shops. The organization applies its own codes of practice to follow its primary goal, which is to make sports betting services risk-free and beat the corruption and manipulation in the sector.

Conclusion

License by a world-recognized regulatory body is what detects white-label casinos from scammers. Gamers can easily check whether a brand is accredited or not by visiting its website or monitoring expert reviews on the Internet. The golden rule for all players and sports enthusiasts is picking up licensed portals, which stand for their solid reputation and ensure a safe and pleasurable user experience to customers.