Online casino licences - licence comparison
Gambling is a fascinating hobby that brings people of different nations and levels of wealth together.
It is easy to start betting with real money - just choose one of the curacao casinos, register on the website and get a welcome bonus.
Top online casinos are completely safe: they are regulated by reputable commissions, which guarantees fair gaming conditions and fair payouts.
Why do I need a licence in an online casino?
A licence is a necessary document for a transparent operation, which is important for both the bookmaker and the consumer.
For players, a licence indicates that the platform is trustworthy.
For example, the issuing authority carefully checks the integrity of the random number generator, the certificates for the games, the availability of a backup bank account to ensure timely payment of winnings.
In the event of a conflict with the operator, the player can go directly to the commission and ask representatives of the organisation to act as a third party in the situation.
For a bookmaker, having a licence is the only way to operate legally and not to break the law. The document is necessary in order to:
Open a bank account and a merchant account;
Optimize electronic payment systems;
Contract with the top software providers;
Establish yourself as an honest, responsible operator with a good reputation.
How to get a licence
There are step-by-step instructions for gambling business owners to obtain a licence:
First of all, it is necessary to study the available certificate options, compare their advantages and disadvantages, and choose one of the regulatory bodies.
Familiarise yourself with the requirements for obtaining a document and make sure that the online casino meets all the criteria listed.
Prepare a number of documents: both personal and company. The list of required documents can be found on the official website of the Gambling Commission.
Be prepared for the fact that you may have to open an office in the territory of the chosen country.
Once the application has been sent, it is worth waiting a few working days for the Commission to check the documents and, if all is well, they will offer to move on to the next stage.
Types of gambling licences
Dozens of licences are now available to gambling operators: both regional and international instruments, each with its own features and requirements for obtaining them.
The reputable international commissions are considered to be:
Alderney;
UK;
Belgium;
Gibraltar;;
Denmark;
Kanawake (Province of Canada);
Costa Rica;
Malta;
Isle of Man.
Below we look at the most common gambling licences and their key features.
Alderney
The Gambling Commission was established in 2000 and currently offers two types of business licences.
A full certificate is issued to Alderney registered operators. The application period is on average two months. The cost of the licence is calculated individually and depends on the type of licence, but the minimum price is £17,500.
Every year the certificate must be renewed by depositing £10,000 in the bank account of the gaming commission.
United Kingdom
The local gaming commission issues three types of licences:
Operating licence;
Personal management licence;
Premise licence.
The first two licences are issued to local operators registered in the UK, while the latter is issued to anyone who wishes to do so.
The Commission offers a variety of licence options - there are separate documents for each type of gambling with unique features and nuances.
The UK Commission is considered the most reputable because of the thoroughness of the checks, but it is also difficult to access. The bookmaker has to pay for the application to be processed, and if the site fails the check, no funds are refunded.
The application processing time is on average 16 weeks. The cost of the licence is calculated individually - the UK Commission's official website has a calculator that can be used to calculate the price.
Gibraltar
The Gibraltar Commission has quite strict requirements: a realistic business plan, a steady income, and a clear prospect of developing a gaming platform.
The tax for gambling is 1%. The minimum tax is £85,000 and the maximum is £25,000 per year. The law applies to both land-based and online casinos.
Gibraltar has high requirements for website security: the operator must guarantee absolute confidentiality of customers' personal data and information about transactions carried out. All players must go through a verification phase in order to complete registration on the website.
There is no fee to obtain a licence. However, holders must pay a £2,000 annual renewal fee.
The licence is issued for one year and the processing time depends on the workload of the representatives of the organisation and the specifics of the gaming platform.
A license is the most obvious criterion for high quality services provided by an online casino. It is important that the operator works under the supervision of a reputable international gambling commission.
You can check the availability of the licence on the home page of the gaming platform, or on the official website of the regulatory body.
