Top 10 iGaming Licenses Analysis Based on the Top 400 Online Casinos

 25 October 2022

We have already previously touched on the topic of registration and licenses. We have also prepared a separate article on UK licenses.

In this article, we will conduct a minor analysis of the top 10 iGaming licenses based on our ‘Top 400 Online Casinos’ dataset.

A considerable number of jurisdictions provide online casino licenses these days. However, most online clubs prefer only the most reputable of them. Let us start with the most prominent one, then we shall determine the top 10 licenses:

It is worth noting that many casinos hold not one but several licenses at once, as it helps to increase the users’ level of trust, as well as grant easy access to a variety markets.

Let us now go down this list, starting with Malta Gaming Authority:

The Malta Gaming Authority has been issuing two types of licenses (B2B and B2C) for five years. The operators, who have received a prestigious permit in Malta, find themselves on the “white list” of the UK gambling regulator, allowing their casinos to offer services to British citizens.

The licensing procedure is divided into several stages:

• The Commission considers the application for 3-4 weeks;
• The online casino in question receives a temporary license for six months;
• Then, based on a thorough analysis, a full gambling license is issued, valid for five years.

UK Gambling Commission

One of the largest gambling organs in the world. To obtain their work permit, casino owners must specify numerous details, including an up-to-date business plan, proof of financial solvency and security, a clean criminal record, etc. Remote casino operation license holders must then pay a tax of 15% to 50% of their gross income.

Curaçao License Types

Curaçao offers two license types: a general one or a sublicense.

A general license is a gaming permit that gives not only the right to conduct online gambling activities, but also the right to independently issue sublicenses to other people. Since 1996, a general license has only been issued to four companies, which have become a de facto monopoly in the Curaçao licensing market. These companies are:

• Curaçao-eGaming;
• Curaçao Gaming (CG);
• Antillephone NV;
• Curaçao Interactive Licensing N.V.

Each of these companies are quite popular, which is confirmed by the following data:

Antillephone N.V.

Curaçao eGaming

Curaçao Gaming

ADM Italy

ADM is the highest regulatory gambling authority in Italy, issuing licenses to potential gambling operators and monitoring their activities. Gambling is still illegal under Italian criminal law, excluding games based on luck and skill. The law allows playing bingo and lotteries, as well as participating in sports betting and other activities around Italy, but only if the operators have obtained an appropriate license.

Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner

To obtain a Gibraltar license, an online casino owner must prove their financial stability, provide a business plan, and be ready to conduct foreign exchange transactions (winnings payment and processing players’ credit card data) exclusively through Gibraltar banks.

Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling

The Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling provides a license for online casinos in Spain. So, if one wants their online casino to legally operate in this country, they must apply to this government agency and obtain a permit.

Romanian National Gambling Office

The leading authority responsible for gambling activities in Romania is the National Gambling Authority (ONJN) that authorizes operators wishing to access the Romanian market and enforces the rules mandatory for all local players. The current Romanian legal framework for online gambling is governed by provisions adopted in May 2015, when outdated legislation was amended to bring the Romanian space in line with the European Commission requirements.

Alderney Gambling Control Commission

The Alderney Gambling Control Commission was established in May 2000 to regulate all types of gambling in the region and ensure that online gambling remains legal and does not put any vulnerable groups at risk. Applicants must provide the required documents at the registration stage, as well as make the initial internal control checks.

Based on the data gathered, we can compile the following rating:

Earlier, we have analyzed the work of the top 400 large online casinos, revealing that these casinos hold 85 types of different licenses, with only 25 casinos hesitating to provide licensing information on their official websites.

Why do we need to know about gambling licenses anyway? Creating and operating a successful online casino requires comprehensive market analysis, and licensing is one of the most critical components of gambling club management.