Online Gaming Regulators and Licensing Bodies in Online Casinos
In the online gambling industry, most websites do their due diligence to keep players safe and secure. However, we’re well aware that there are some companies offering up games to gamblers that aren’t legitimate. How can you tell the legit wagering platforms from the scam sites? Look for their casino gaming license. As we’ll explore below, there are authorities to issue licenses all around the world. You can also check whether an online casino is fair. A gambling regulator helps ensure that the house edge hasn’t been altered by the casino to try and steal away your money. Ready to learn more? Keep reading as we walk you through the top licensing and online gambling regulation bodies in the world.
Gambling Licence
Our team always recommends that players in Canada only enjoy gaming at reputable online casino sites. Doing so will ensure that you’re protected from fraud. On a local level, you’ll also be following any regulations for your area to ensure that you’re in compliance with the law. Every area of the world has its own rules for remote gambling, so many popular casinos hold multiple licenses to extend their reach. Below you’ll find a list of the top online gambling license bodies.
- UK Gambling Commission. The UKGC has been protecting players in the UK and around the globe since 2007. They are known for having some of the highest security standards and requiring every online casino website they license to follow some stringent guidelines. You’ll see many top casino sites bearing their stamp of approval because any site that accepts UK players must be licensed by them.
- Malta Gaming Authority. The MGA is a favourite gambling license distributor for casino companies around the world. Malta, located in the Mediterranean, is home to a huge betting market. The taxes there are low, which is appreciated by every gambling website that seeks a license from them. Even better, the MGA license allows operators to welcome players from all corners of the globe.
- Curacao Egaming. Another big name in remote gambling is Curacao. Their online casino license is enjoyed by hundreds of companies who appreciate the 2% corporate tax rate. License-holders are also permitted to welcome almost anyone in the world through their doors, with the exception of some areas of northern Europe.
- Swedish Gambling Authority. In contrast to Curacao, the Swedish Gambling Authority runs a tight ship. To receive one of these licenses, a casino must be housed in Sweden. There’s also a flat tax rate of 18% and high security standards, meaning only serious, local operators work to obtain this license.
- Gibraltar Gaming Authority. Gibraltar is one of the oldest licensing bodies in the world. It was first established in the 1990s when online gambling became a viable market. It hasn’t always enjoyed an outstanding reputation among other licensing bodies because they offer a rock-bottom tax rate at 1% or less. International licensers consider that to set an unfair standard in comparison to their own tax rates above 10%.
- Belgian Gaming Commission. The BGA runs a tight ship when it comes to granting gambling licenses. Though companies don’t have to be housed within their borders, any casino hoping to offer its services needs to create a website exclusively for players in Belgium. That, coupled with their high tax rates, turns away some major companies. However, the Belgian market is incredibly profitable for those who do obtain a license.
- Danish Gambling Authority. The DGA is one of the smallest licensing bodies in the world. They welcome operators from all over the globe to gain access to their Danish population. Most companies forgo this market because the tax rate is set at 20%, while the market itself isn’t very profitable.
- Kahnawake Gaming Commission. Our very own KGC is the preferred local body for obtaining a gambling license Canada players can trust. It’s been monitoring online gambling sites since 1999 and looking out for the interest of players. They offer low tax rates and are respected throughout the world for proactively handling complaints of gamblers.
Gambling Regulators and Fairness and Testing Companies
In addition to licenses, we also place a lot of value on gambling regulators. These independent companies are responsible for examining and testing the fairness of each online gambling website. They ensure that casino games have the house edge intended by software providers in order to preserve customer trust.
- Internet Gaming Council – http://internetgamingcouncil.com/.
- eCOGRA – https://www.ecogra.org/. eCOGRA is widely considered to be the gold standard among gaming regulators. Based in the UK, eCOGRA has high standards and rigorous testing procedures. They also regularly resolve customer disputes and protect the interests of players.
- iTechLabs – https://www.itechlabs.com/. Located in Australia, iTechLabs has been monitoring gambling websites for more than a decade. They don’t just test slot games though – their team can evaluate any online game offered by their clients. They regularly repeat testing to ensure that websites maintain honesty and fairness.
- GPWA – https://www.gpwa.org/. The GPWA has over 25,000 clients around the world. They offer regular testing to their clients to ensure fairness, and also offer resources to players on their website to understand more about fair gaming on any casino game.
- Gaming Labs International – https://gaminglabs.com/. GLI is a highly respected gambling regulator. They offer testing in more than 500 jurisdictions around the globe. Their services aren’t just limited to online and mobile gaming though. GLI also tests machines at brick-and-mortar casinos on a regular basis.
- Technical Systems Testing – TST has been working hard to protect players for nearly thirty years, making them one of the oldest testing companies in the world. In 2010, TST was incorporated under GLI, but they still have their own seals to give to websites.
- Gaming Associates – www.gamingassociates.com. One of the pioneers in game testing is GA, which was founded in 1990. In the three decades since they first launched, GA has evaluated countless online gambling websites. In addition to testing slot games, they also review logs for poker sites. By examining which players are regularly sat at the same tables, they’re able to weed out any unfair strategies.
- NMi – www.nmi.nl. The NMI has been vetting land-based casinos for the past 50 years. In 2007, they expanded their services to encompass the online gambling market. They’re fantastic reputation and decades of experience has made them a respected body in the gambling industry.
- Expleo – https://expleogroup.com/. Expleo is located in Germany but certifies casino sites located throughout the world. As software analysts, SQS isn’t strictly a gambling operator and works with major brands like Volkswagen to improve their businesses as well. However, they’ve been involved in gambling regulation since the 1980s and have earned a lot of respect.
- Loto-Quebec – portail.lotoquebec.com/. Loto-Quebec assures the quality and fairness of casino games. Housed right here in Canada, their QA specialists are able to test single-player and multi-player games and certify that the house edge is fair.
We hope you’ve found the above information useful. The licensers and regulators we’ve shared with you today are among the most popular, respected, and responsible authorities in the world. Next time you’re searching for an online gambling website, be sure to confirm that they have your best interests in mind. Any reputable company will have their licenses and regulatory seal displayed proudly on their website.
Updated Apr 3, 2024
