How online casino licensing works in our markets
Why a local licence matters, how to check one yourself on each regulator's register, and why we only cover certain markets.
On this page
A casino’s licence is the single most important thing to check before you sign up. It decides who is accountable if something goes wrong, which rules the casino has to follow and whether it is allowed to serve you at all. This page explains how licensing works in the markets we cover and how to check a licence yourself.
Why the licence matters
Online gambling is regulated locally. A casino licensed in one country is not automatically allowed to serve players in another. When you play with an operator licensed in your own market, you generally benefit from:
- Rules on how player funds, identity checks and withdrawals are handled.
- Required responsible gambling tools, such as limits and self-exclusion.
- Oversight of game fairness and advertising.
- A regulator you can turn to if the operator does not resolve a complaint.
When you play with an operator that is not licensed in your market, most of that protection may not apply to you.
Our markets at a glance
| Market | Regulator | Minimum age | Our status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario, Canada | Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), with iGaming Ontario | 19 | Launch market |
| Peru | Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR) | 18 | Launch market |
| Colombia | Coljuegos | 18 | Coming next |
| Portugal | Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos (SRIJ) | 18 | Coming next |
The UK, Romania and New Jersey are possible future markets. We will add them here only when we start covering them.
How to check a licence yourself
Do not rely on a logo in a casino’s footer. Logos are easy to copy. Go to the regulator’s own website and find the operator there.
- Note the casino’s brand name and the company named in its terms and conditions.
- Open the regulator’s official site (links below) and find its list or register of authorised operators.
- Check that the brand, or the website address, appears there and that the company matches.
- Check that the entry is current and covers the type of gambling you plan to use.
This is the same check we do before ranking any casino. We record the licence holder, the licence number and the date, link to the register, and repeat the check at least every 30 days. If a check goes out of date, the casino drops out of our ranking automatically.
Ontario
Ontario’s model has two bodies. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) sets the standards and registers operators. iGaming Ontario conducts and manages the online gaming market and contracts with registered operators. Both sites let you check whether an operator is authorised. The minimum age is 19. Ontario rules restrict bonus and inducement advertising, so we do not show offers for Ontario.
Peru
Online casino games and sports betting in Peru are regulated under Law 31557, overseen by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR). Check the ministry’s official information for the operators and platforms it has authorised. The minimum age is 18.
Colombia
Coljuegos is the national regulator for games of chance in Colombia, including online gambling. Its site lists the operators authorised to offer online games. The minimum age is 18.
Portugal
The Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos (SRIJ), part of Turismo de Portugal, licenses online gambling in Portugal. Its site lists the licensed entities and their websites. The minimum age is 18.
What a licence does and does not guarantee
A licence means the operator has been approved by the regulator and is subject to its rules and oversight. That matters a great deal. But it is not a promise that everything will go smoothly.
A licence does mean:
- The operator has gone through the regulator’s approval process.
- It must follow local rules on player protection, identity checks and advertising.
- There is a regulator you can contact if the operator does not resolve your complaint.
A licence does not mean:
- You will win. Every game has a house edge.
- Withdrawals will always be fast, or that every term is generous.
- The casino is the right fit for you.
- A licence in one market covers you in another.
That is why licensing is only the first of our eight criteria. The others, including withdrawal terms, player protection tools and complaints record, are explained on our How we review casinos page.
Why some markets are excluded
We decline to run affiliate work in India, Brazil, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Italy. The reasons differ by market. In some, online casino gambling is prohibited or restricted for players; in others, the rules on affiliates and gambling advertising mean we could not cover the market in a way that is both compliant and useful. We would rather cover fewer markets properly than many badly.
If you live outside the markets above, please check your local law before gambling online. Our terms of use explain that this is your responsibility, and our responsible gambling page lists where to find help.