What is a casino license and why is it so important?

The license under which an online casino operates is often an overlooked aspect of online casino gaming

For some players, it is an afterthought, even.

It only becomes an issue when something went terribly wrong. Like when a player tries to withdraw winnings and is denied payment by the online casino. Or when a player has a major complaint and has nowhere to turn to.

We must confess it can be very confusing for residents of a specific county, mainly from a country where online gambling is not regulated.

For example, online gaming laws in Australia are a bit strange, to say the least. It is legal for Australians to play at an online casino, as long as the casino is NOT licensed in Australia.

Now, there are online casinos that are licensed in Australia. However, as illogical as it may seem, Australian players are NOT allowed to play at any online casino licensed IN Australia. Are you still following us?

Luckily, in practice, it is not as difficult as it seems: hundreds of licensed Australian-friendly online casinos operate outside of Australia, accept Australian players and also carry the AUD as a currency.

A license ensures the casino has met preset guidelines, offers casino games that are completely random and has the right policies in place to verify their player’s identity and keep their data safe and secure.

Furthermore, they have to show that your payments are processed well and that their overall product is fair and balanced. Should you have any problems or questions, the casino has to be able to help you correctly.

What is a casino license?

A casino license is like a seal of approval from the country it has been issued in. The license confirms that the online casino has met its minimum standards and specific requirements.

These requirements can generally include a positive cash flow position, checks on ownership and proof that the used systems, personal data and games are safe and secure.

Anti-money laundering measures, protection of vulnerable players and customer verification are also critical requirements of any casino license.

Before a license is approved, the casino has to undergo a long and extensive process, including background checks and thorough screening of the owners, an audit of all procedures and methods and extensive proof that all casino games are random and fair. Failure to comply with these audits will always result in a license application being denied or a current license being revoked.

Why is a casino license necessary?

Casino licenses are there to protect both the players and the countries where the operator is based. If there was no licensing process, anybody could open a casino. There would be no control over how the casino would handle vital issues such as player and payment information, customer satisfaction, withdrawals and money laundering. In essence, the license ensures the online casino and the people in charge have been checked out and can be trusted with your money and personal data.

As a player, do you need to be interested in the casino license?

In short: yes, you should. Whenever you sign up for an online casino, you are giving them your personal details. You do not want wrong parties to gain access to your name, date of birth and address.

You also want to be 100% sure that your payment information is handled safely and securely to prevent abuse. Not only do you want to be sure that deposits are processed correctly, but the same also goes for withdrawals.

Furthermore, it would help if you were assured that your complaint would be handled correctly whenever you have a complaint or issue with the casino.  

You should ALWAYS check if the casino that you are signing up to has a license from a trusted country (United Kingdom, Malta, Gibraltar). All casinos should display clearly on their site under which license they are operating. If you can’t find it on their website, contact the helpdesk and ask. If they can not provide you with the desired information, it is time to look for another casino.

Without a proper license, a casino is breaking the law and can not be trusted with your data and money.

What are the best casino licenses?

There are a lot of different licenses, and there are a few important things you should know:

Licenses in regulated markets such as the United Kingdom, Belgium, Italy, and Spain demand casinos to are based physically in their country. These licenses are generally stricter than licenses in non-regulated markets.

Licenses from Malta, Gibraltar also have a good reputation and are generally considered safe.

When you reside in a country where gambling is allowed but not regulated and still want to play real money casino games, choose an online casino with a reputable license. There are plenty of reliable Canadian online casinos and New Zealand online casinos.

How do I find out which casino has which license?

An easy way is to read our online casino reviews where we include all information on the license(s) the reviewed casino operates under. All casinos we recommend are licensed in trustworthy countries. You can be sure your money and personal details are safe. 

Another way to check where a casino is licensed is on the website of the online casino. Usually, the casino will show where it is licensed and under which license number, right at the bottom of the casino lobby.

When in doubt or if you feel the casino is not being forward about their license, it might be a good idea to look for a different online casino.

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