Online casino licenses are essential as in Canada it’s illegal to run a gambling business and provide gaming services to players without valid casino license. The casino licenses guarantee that an online casino fulfill certain requirements, has been verified in full and is pursuing a policy of verification and protection their customers. The casinos have to demonstrate their trustworthiness to the players, to prove them that their personal information alongside with payment details will be kept in safe.
Here you will find out what a casino license is, what it is for, and which countries issue official gambling licenses. Everything you need to know about licensed online casinos. A license is one of the most important criteria for choosing an online casino. Every customer wants to play in a trusted online casino with official software, where all transactions are securely protected, and payouts are guaranteed.

What is a casino license?

If an online casino wants to legally carry out its activities in most countries, including Canada, it must necessarily obtain a license from the relevant state authority of the country in which it wants to register.

Basically, a license is a package of documents that gives the right to provide gambling services in the established jurisdiction. For the player, this is a proof that the online casino operates in strict accordance with the laws, is controlled by specially authorized auditors, pays taxes, etc.
In order to obtain a gambling license, the online casino has to provide all necessary actual and authentic documentation about its owners, shareholders, business documentations. The company must have a clear organizational structure, all processes must be regulated before and after issuing a license. Non-compliance with gambling license requirements will result in application being refused or revocation of a license.

Why does an online casino need a gambling license?

Basically, online casino licenses are to defend the customers and the countries where the casino is located and providing its service. If any online casino has started its operations without holding a gambling license, it is impossible to be sure if this place can be safe, does it guarantee that player’ information and his credit card details are protected. The gambling license guarantees the casino and the people who stand behind the casino have been fully checked out and are considered credible.

Who issues casino licenses

The first to officially offer licensing services was the small island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, located in the Caribbean. It happened more than twenty years ago, back in 1994.
Nowadays, licenses are issued by many countries, including:

  • Alderney
  • Malta
  • Gibraltar
  • Curacao
  • Vanuatu
  • Kahnawake
  • Philippines
  • Costa Rica
  • a number of EU countries (Spain, Italy, Great Britain, France, Cyprus and so on)
Types of casino licenses

There are two main types of licenses:

  • Local

– the casino can operate only in one country, for example, the USA (in fact, a casino can legally work only in the territory of the state that issued the license);

  • Gambling activities apply to all countries.

Many online casinos, especially large ones, hold several licenses at once, as they are constantly expanding their jurisdiction. However, when choosing the best licensed online casino, you should make sure that it officially operates in Canada. Otherwise, you will not be able to play there.
Actually, if you are Canadian, you can play at casinos with a European license (UK, Malta, Gibraltar) as these gambling licenses are considered safe. Nevertheless, Curacao is also believed to be a good license to hold.

Why it is important to check the valid license before to register at online casino

When you open an account at any online casino you are requested to provide them your personal information. The main and basic details include name, phone number date of birth, address and banking information. To start playing with real money, you have to fund your account. It means that you will provide the casino your full card number and CVV code, your Skrill etc.. That’s why you have to be sure that the company you’re providing this details, will only use it to let you make a deposit at the casino and nothing else.
Before registering at the new online casino you need to check whether the casino holds the valid gambling license from trusted casino regulator. If the casino keeps this information in secret, it should be a warning for you.

How to check the license

It is very easy to make sure that the casino is officially registered and licensed. Just look in the section “About Us”. In addition, at the footer of the main page, you can often see branded icons of the regulator. Simply click on it and you will be redirected to the official website of the authority that issued the license and can check its relevance.

Benefits

Confidence in the online casinos is perhaps the most important aspect of a comfortable and responsible game. We are sure you’ll agree, it is impossible to have fun playing slots or roulette, if you are not sure that you will not be deceived in this online casino.
The valid gambling license is not only an undeniable proof of the honesty and transparency of the company’s policy. This shows the quality and reliability of the software used in the work. It is safe to say that playing at licensed online casinos, you will not become a victim of fraud or other force majeure.