Gambling licences are an important feature when you’re trying to decide whether or not an online crypto casino can be trusted. But which licences are the best? And what about unlicensed casinos?
Our guide to online gambling licences explains what the purpose of a gambling licence is, which sites offer them, and why they matter.
A gambling licence is a permit for a business to offer real-money wagers, whether that’s online or in person, and whether it’s for casino games, sports betting or poker.
There are three main types of gambling licence:
It’s a legal requirement for businesses to get a licence from their local authority, like a UK casino holding a UKGC licence. But there’s a pretty big loophole.
Because these casinos are all online, they don’t need to have a physical headquarters in places like the UK. Instead, most companies choose to set up shop in tax-friendly islands where they’re not beholden to the same strict laws they would be in the UK, US or other territories.
These are sometimes referred to as offshore casinos. It simply means they’re located in another country.
You may also hear as it referred to as the black market. But that’s a little reductive, considering some of the biggest and best casinos in the world follow this model.
Licensed crypto casinos are legally authorised to accept real-money wagers in the country they operate from, while unlicensed casinos work under a completely different set of laws.
Basically, local authorities don’t like unlicensed casinos. The reasons are numerous, but chiefly, it’s because local governments and authorities have no control over them. Unlicensed sites can accept all sorts of payment methods, offer higher maximum wagers, and jack up the bonuses without any restrictions.
But that’s not to say the concerns from local authorities aren’t serious and genuine. It’s definitely risky to play at an unlicensed casino. You can think of it like placing a bet with an underground bookie. Maybe they’ll pay you, maybe they won’t. You have to go off of their reputation and, if it all goes wrong, there’s little that can be done.
There are a handful of gambling licences which you’ll see again and again in the online crypto casino space. Here are the main hitters:
If you’ve found a tempting site but you’re not sure about the gambling licence situation, our advice is simple: don’t sign up. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
But some players still choose to play at unlicensed sites. Here’s a breakdown of the main pros and cons of a gambling licence:
No, it’s not easy for any website to just buy a gambling licence. Each site is carefully vetted in a thorough process that includes criminal background checks, financial capability assessments, physical inspections where relevant, and more.
The gambling licence is one of the most expensive aspects of opening an online casino, generally costing anywhere from £20,000 up to the £500,000 mark. This is one reason many online casinos opt for newer licensing bodies, where prices are lower.
Licensed casinos are generally safer than unlicensed casinos, because they’ve been checked by a trusted third-party. But you should still apply common sense checks to every site you join. Similarly, unlicensed sites may be legitimate, but you should be extremely careful and perform extensive due diligence before making a real-money deposit.
The United Kingdom Gambling Commission is one of the most stringent gambling licensed in the world, and is therefore viewed by players as one of the safest and best. A licence from the Malta Gaming Authority also sits high on the list of respected casino licences.
Moonshot Slots offers impartial information about online casinos and games. Our expert team creates reviews and guides based on their best knowledge and judgment. However, these resources are for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Prior to playing in any casino, ensure you comply with all relevant regulatory requirements.
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