Online casinos are the virtual version of traditional casinos, and allow people to play and gamble on games using the internet. These platforms offer all kinds of casino games such as poker, blackjack and slot machines, among many others.
In simpler terms, online casinos provide for little interaction between the players and the dealer. The dealer is generally a computer program. However, there is a lot of red tape around virtual casinos and online poker.
First and foremost, any online casino has to have license to operate in a specific region. Governments have to issue gaming licenses to these virtual casino operators. But most countries do not have a separate regulatory authority to vet these operators, and more than often people end up losing money to scammers.
Casinos must have a license from proper authorities that proves they meet certain standards of security, safety, reliability and fairness. If an online casino does Here are some of the prominent gambling jurisdictions that issue licenses to online casinos.
Country | Licensing Authority |
UK | UK Gambling Commission |
France | Autorité Nationale des Jeux |
Italy | Amministrazione Autonoma dei Monopoli di Stato |
Spain | Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego |
Belgium | Belgian Gaming Commission |
Netherlands | The Kansspelautoriteit |
Sweden | Swedish Gambling Authority |
Denmark | Spillemyndigheden |
Australia | ACT Gambling and Racing Commission |
Singapore | Casino Regulatory Authority of Singapore |
Malta | Malta Gaming Authority |
Gibraltar | Gibraltar Regulatory Authority |
Macao | Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau |
Isle of Man | Gambling Supervision Commission |
Antigua and Barbuda | Directorate of Offshore Gambling |
Curaçao | The Curaçao Gaming Control Board |
A word of warning: it is relatively easy to get a gambling license in Malta, Gibraltar and comparable nations. The protection offered to you as a consumer is limited, especially if you do not live in these countries.
International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) has representatives from gaming regulators from across the world. You can view the full list of IAGR members. Another helpful site is the Gaming Regulators European Forum.
Additionally, you can also take the following measures to ensure your money is safe.
However, the best thing to do is always check if they have a license to operate in your country. In this way when there is an issue, you can contact the authority to get help.
Here we list some of the reliable online casinos and their licensing authorities. Please remember that gambling could be additive and in the end, the casino always wins...
Online Casino | Licensing Authority |
Rizk |
Malta Gaming Authority UK Gaming Commission Swedish Gambling Authority |
Genesis Casino |
Malta Gaming Authority UK Gambling Commission |
888 Casino |
Malta Gaming Authority UK Gambling Commission Gibraltar Regulatory Authority |
Royal Panda | Malta Gaming Authority |
Casumo | Malta Gaming Authority |
LeoVegas | Malta Gaming Authority |
Dunder |
Malta Gaming Authority UK Gambling Commission |
Casimba |
UK Gambling Commission Swedish Gambling Authority Malta Gaming Authority |
Betway |
Malta Gaming Authority UK Gambling Commission |
Karamba |
Malta Gaming Authority UK Gambling Commission |