iGaming Glossary / Licence
What is Licence?
Official permission from a regulator that lets a casino operate legally.
A licence is the legal stamp of approval that a casino needs before it can take real-money bets. It is issued by a gambling regulator, and it shows that the operator has met rules around fair games, player funds and safe play. Without a valid licence, a site is operating outside the law.
Different regulators have different reputations. Some are strict and well respected, while others are cheaper and lighter on checks. Common names you will see include the Malta Gaming Authority and the Curacao authority, and each one sets its own standards for testing and player protection.
Before you sign up, look for the licence details in the site footer. A trustworthy casino shows who licenses it and links to proof. If you cannot find any licence at all, treat that as a serious warning sign and play elsewhere. See how to choose an online casino for more checks.
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