License

When you are looking to sign up at an online casino, you need to check if and where they have been licensed. Don’t be deceived by the empty promises and flashy designs; it is good to know that your hard-earned money is in safe hands before placing a bet.

Most online casinos are licensed in the Philippines and other popular jurisdictions such as Alderney and Isle of Man. As the global landscape for gambling shifts, so does the whole licensing process.

In this article, you are going to learn how to find a safe online casino but taking you through everything you need to know about the licensing of online casinos.

What Is A Casino License?

Before we move any further, let’s look at what a casino license is.

For an online casino to operate, it must have a license, which means they have to apply for it. The goal of licensing is to:

• Prevent criminal-related activities in gambling

• Ensure that all games are fair

• Prevent children and other people who are vulnerable from being taken advantage of

To get a license, a casino must meet the necessary criteria that have been outlined by the UK Gambling commission (or any gambling jurisdiction). These include:

• To ensure accountability, the identity of the company or person must be confirmed

• Proof of sufficient funds to run the casino, so it won’t suffer any setbacks after a number of huge wins

•Evidence of honesty or trustworthiness

•Necessary qualification and experience showing that the individual or company can run a gambling business.

• Documentation showing clean criminal record

Examples of licensed online casinos in the UK include 888Casino, William Hill, Coral Casino, etc.

Other Online Casinos Licensed Overseas

The Gambling Act 2005 gives the UK Gambling Commission the right to license and regulate gambling avenues. However, there are a few legal exceptions that allow operators in the European Economic Area (EEA), and other nations to operate in the UK, under the UK Gambling Commission. They include:

• Alderney

• Gibraltar

• EEA countries

• Antigua and Barbuda

• Tasmania

• And, Isle of Man

The unveiling of the Gambling Act 2014 stated further that these territories must base an element of their facilities or equipment in the Great Britain to maintain their remote license.

Is It Necessary For Your Preferred Online Casino To Be Licensed Overseas?

Probably, since all operators located in white-listed countries and the EEA will now be required to make provisions for new legislation. However, in practice, transitional arrangements mean it will be much easier for providers to meet the requirements that have been put in place by the Gambling Act 2014.

How Do I Know Where An Online Casino Is Licensed?

In most cases, you will find licensing credentials at the footer of an online casino site. Scroll to the bottom of the page and check to see if there is a stamp, a name or crest, showing where the online casino is licensed.

Also, the UK Gambling Commission has a page where you can search any licensed company as well as those that are in the process of applying, and where they are based.

Other Certifications That Exist

There are other independent assessments and bodies that allow online casinos to sign up and commit to a number of standards. An example of an independent tester body is eCOGRA. This organization calculates the payout percentages on game offered and generate reports for the respective online casinos.

The European Sports Security Association (ESSA) constantly monitors betting patterns to pick out suspicious behaviour, whereas local betting associations champions the best gambling practise among the members.

There are also Gambling Addiction Support Groups such as GameCare support people who have gambling problems. To ensure you are gambling on a safe platform where your winnings are secure, choose an online casino that has been licensed with a credible licensing and regulatory authority.

Additional Tips for Finding a Licensed Online Casino

Here are a few more tips you need to keep in mind:

• Consult other players

You need to know the opinion of other players and you find this information on site like Airbnb and Tripadvisor. On these websites, you will find the opinion of other people who use Asian online casinos, UK online casinos, and others, instead of relying on reviews of the website. So, the first thing you may want to do is to visit independent review sites.

• Ask a friend or anyone you know

Yes, you can also ask your friends if they know a company that is licensed and reliable. If they have previously played at an online casino that is licensed, they wouldn’t hesitate to recommend one to you.

Conclusion

It is important to play at licensed online casinos to ensure that your funds are protected and the games are fair. Make sure that you check for licensing badge at the bottom of any online casino’s page. You can also contact your potential online casino for inquiries about licensing.