Casino Licenses

When you’re on the hunt for a good online casino, there are so many factors that could influence your decision. A cracking site, top-notch games and some round-the-clock customer support are all feathers in the cap, but casino licenses have to be your main priority.

With the online gambling market coming such a long way in such a short time over the last decade, gambling licenses ensure that the industry is safe for all. Licensed casinos offer safety and security for their players and commit to pay out on time and have the player’s interests at heart.

Yes, online casinos are there to make money, but those that look to acquire an online gambling license have the long term in mind, they’re not just there to make a dodgy quick buck. We only recommend casinos with a licence, and here’s why it should be your top priority, too.

Top Licensed Casinos for Real Money

The license is crucial with online gambling for real money. Therefore, we only show you licensed sites so that you can play safely for real money.

All casinos are:   Licenced & Verified   Expertly Reviewed

Date Added	Rating	Pros	Bonus
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The Importance of a Gambling License

When online casinos first came about in the early 90’s, the concept was so different that there were no existing laws to guide them. The gambling industry soon became the wild west, as companies looked to corrupt their players rather than set up a legitimate business. As casinos came and went, they left a trail of fraud and insecurity in their wake that heavily tarnished the industry. Since the gaming industry was highly unregulated, it became a front for money laundering, which is why we have such strict anti-money laundering processes today.

Legitimate operators rallied to protect their business, and slowly but surely, regulations came into effect to not just protect players but the industry as a whole. It was essential to stamp out the corruption to win back public confidence and begin a new era where an online gambling license became the norm, and dodgy casinos are shown the door.

As the online casino boom really took hold, gambling licenses proved the defining factor between an industry that was tarnished with rumours of fraud and a streamlined business that operated legitimately in the eyes of the law. A gambling license is not something given out willy-nilly. It’s a respected badge of honour that is hard-earned and proves a casino’s commitment to long-term operations and a secure gaming environment across the board.

Online Gambling in Canada

Canada does not have a government-issued casino license, meaning online casinos do not pay tax to the Great White North. There are a few land-based casinos that tax to the province they are in, such as Ontario casinos, as an example. Canadians looking to dabble in the online casino industry can choose between a range of legal casinos licensed offshore. You can learn more about online gambling Canada here for more info on laws and regulations.

Now, it’s essential to mention Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC) as it’s technically a license issued in Canada and is for Canadians. However, based in the Indian reserve of Kahnawake Mohawk Territory, a self-governing territory, they are not an official Canadian governmental license. They are a gaming regulatory that provides licensing to online poker rooms, betting sites and online casinos, and three land-based casinos situated in the Mohawk Territory.

Canadians can play in many online casinos, provided they are of age. The KGC is just one of a handful of trusted regulatory bodies that provide an online gambling license. Many good casinos even support Canadian dollars as currency and offer both English and French sites with bilingual customer support agents.

Most Common Online Casino Licenses

While licenses are somewhat jurisdictional, the benefit of an online casino is just that; you can play from anywhere. Certain countries operate within stricter jurisdictional boundaries, which may prohibit their residents from playing on casinos that don’t hold their licenses. Two such countries are Sweden and the UK, and Germany is set to follow shortly.

While more jurisdictions do exist, the following are the most respected and trusted regulatory bodies. Again, we would only recommend you play on those sites that hold an online casino license to ensure your safety.

Kahnawake Gaming Commission

Formed in 1996 under the Kahnawake Gaming Law, regulations concerning online gaming was included in 1999 and Kahnawake casinos online started emerging. They oversee the operation of all online and land-based casinos in the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory of Canada to ensure fair and honest gaming is provided.

While provincial governments do have the right to offer services related to online gambling within their jurisdiction, sites regulated by the KGC are allowed to operate internationally. They hold strong relationships with their foreign regulatory counterparts and have sole operating discretion over their license holders.

Any casino found not to be following their guidelines and rules will be quickly stripped of its license and shut down.

Malta Gaming Authority

Known as the world’s gaming capital, the island nation of Malta may be small but certainly holds its own when it comes to online casinos. Being the first country to regulate online gambling, they quickly set the standard on how a regulatory body should operate; strictly and with structure. That’s why MGA casino sites are considered to be the safest in the business.

Holding an MGA casino license is the standard key to all of Europe and is the most well-respected license. Canadian players are not just welcomed with open arms but encouraged to look out for this seal of approval as they have some of the most strict laws and regulations to protect the players.

UK Gambling Commission

Although the UK did have regulations in place governing lotteries and gambling, the 2014 Gambling Act tightened their restrictions and put all their eggs in one safe basket. UK residents looking to indulge in online gambling must seek a site operating under this license, although Canadians are also welcome in most cases.

Following in the footsteps of the MGA, the UKGC has strict guidelines in place for any potential license holders to abide by. It’s a challenging license to obtain, so it should be viewed as a big tick in any casino’s arsenal.

Curacao Gaming Control Board

Whilst still a regulatory body providing guidelines and rules that ensure safe gaming practices, the Curacao Gaming License is somewhat easier to obtain than the others. Being around since 1993, they certainly don’t lack the experience needed. In 2014, further regulations came into force, tightening their laws and strengthening their reputation and making Curacao online casinos a bit safer.

Since 2010, when Curacao left the now-dissolved Dutch Antilles and became a constituent state of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, they have looked for quantity over quality when it comes to casino licenses. Although this has resulted in their GDP receiving more income from gambling than tourism, it has been somewhat at the expense of their players.

What is Needed to Get a License?

Whilst the exact criteria differ from country to country, but the same general principles are in place. The primary purpose of a gaming license are to ensure the following:

• The prevention of any criminal activity, especially money laundering.
• Fair and transparent gaming.
• The protection of underage and vulnerable players.

To enforce that any potential online casino will abide by these principles, the following criteria must be met:

• Transparency around the identity of the owners and operators, including background checks.
• Lack of any criminal record.
• A trustworthy and honest business past.
• Proof of funds needed to ensure the long-term operation of the business.
• Appropriate qualifications and experience to run a successful gambling business.

It’s worth mentioning that the different regulatory bodies have slightly different criteria’s to issue a license, but overall, these are the general principles they must follow. If an operator fails to meet the compliance, they will be fined and/or lose their license.

Online Gambling License FAQ’s

Summary

Whilst online gambling goes from strength to strength here in Canada, it’s vital that players remember that holding a respected casino license is the top priority when choosing a new casino site to play. It provides evidence of a safe and secure site and that all your gambling activities will be both fair and honest.

As online gambling moves forward, it will be the licensed and reliable casinos that stand the test of time and provide players with the best experience. Stick to sites that hold an online casino license and if in doubt, check their footer on their homepage. They go to a lot of trouble to obtain casino licenses, so they will be more than happy to display whatever they have openly. Happy gaming.

Written by: Petricia petricia@new-casino.ca new-casino.ca