Internet gambling is allowed in countries that have enacted appropriate laws or are not legally prohibited. Most states allow online casinos to operate in their territory only if the establishment has a license. Users are advised to bypass illegally operating sites and give preference to resources of registered and trusted companies.
States that allow online gambling require companies providing online gambling services to register. They must obtain permits, which are stipulated by local or international legislation. This allows them to control the integrity of their operations and collect taxes on profits.
In order to legally provide gambling services, the owner of an online casino must obtain a licence. Its absence makes it difficult to operate online due to the fact that the operator cannot open a bank account and use some electronic transfer methods. Nor will it be possible to place on the website the software of providers who only contract with licensed companies.
In some countries (European Union, Australia, USA, Russia, etc.), access to websites operating illegally is blocked.
Companies and owners of illegal resources are prosecuted. Domains can be seized.
Getting an online gambling license does not mean that the operator will be able to operate in any country of the world. Legislation of some states prohibits online casinos in whole or in part (USA, Russia, France, Italy, Belgium, etc.). Licenses are divided into types according to the jurisdiction they apply to:
States where the concept of 'online gambling' is not legally enshrined may require alternative licensing from website owners. For example, obtaining permission to provide paid services, bank transfers, currency exchange etc.
Conditions of approval differ from regulator to regulator - cost of registration, software testing features, taxation etc. The owner of an establishment also needs to consider the attractiveness of the jurisdiction to the users.
Gaming Commissions serve as mediators in disputes between casinos and customers or other companies. Appeals and complaints are accepted by the relevant governing body offices. Despite the abundance of online casino licensing agencies, most sites are registered in eight gaming offshore jurisdictions.
Is the most popular jurisdiction for online gambling in the world. Since 2000, more than 400 sites have registered in this island nation. The Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LGA) has a strict licensing policy for remote entertainment. First class permits are granted to online casinos that use random number generators. Class four is granted to companies that operate remote games but are not operators (ISPs, Live casinos).
The Isle of Man Gaming Supervision Commission (Gambling Supervision Commission Isle of Man) issues a universal permit that covers all types of gambling services at the same time. It is also possible to apply for a sub-licence and work on behalf of a large company. The regulator provides financial protection for players. Operators are forced to sign agreements with banks, according to which financial institutions are obliged to execute transfers if institutions are unable to pay out winnings.
Many online casinos are registered in the jurisdiction of Curacao. But this country has no real infrastructure for gambling licensing and integrity control. If an operator claims to be authorised in Curaçao eGaming - this only indicates a business licence. Players of such websites are not protected from fraud.
Despite the high tax (15%), more than 200 sites are registered in the UK. The UK Gamblimg Commission is considered to be the strictest regulator and attracts European users. It provides easy and convenient resolution of disputes and protects players reliably. Heavy fines are imposed on operators who flagrantly breach UK legislation. It has its own intelligence unit that collects information on illegal gambling activities.
The Kahnawake Gaming Commission is based in Quebec, Canada. Operators need to register their hosting on the regulator's servers, which makes it easier to control the establishments. Over 50 sites are registered in this offshore jurisdiction. Players have the right to file complaints by email, post and fax. All requests are investigated. The regulator mediates disputes between casinos and users.
Doubtful jurisdiction. Predominantly it is registered unreliable companies that practice fraud, money laundering and deception of players. They are attracted by the lack of control and low income tax. Because of the imperfection of Costa Rica's gambling laws, there is no monitoring of the activities and software testing of registered legal entities.
Gibraltar licensing is no less prestigious than the English one. The regulator is notable for its stringent business requirements and strict control over establishments. Companies are subject to a low profit tax of 0.15%. Permits are only issued to operators with an impeccable reputation and extensive experience in online gambling business. That is why no more than 20 companies are registered offshore.
The Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC) grants permits provided that the operator is headquartered in Guernsey, a British Crown Estate. The software and equipment is subject to mandatory testing to ensure fairness to players.
When choosing an establishment, the player should check whether it is licensed by one or more commissions with a good reputation.
Advantages of licensed sites:
All of the above-mentioned regulators require that details about the license be placed on casino websites. Usually, the information is located at the bottom of the page. They include the authorization number and the name of the issuing organization. Sometimes there is a banner that leads to a page with detailed information. The authenticity can be checked on the Commission's official website.
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Last updated 19.04.2024 by Mark Rylance