Posted in Guides, Industry January 14, 2018
5 Popular Online Gaming Licensing Jurisdictions and What It Means to You and the Industry
The online gaming industry is painstakingly competitive, demanding, and highly regulated. While it may seem like online gambling is all about having fun, entertainment, and earning money, there is more to it than meets the eye. There are rules and regulations in place with certain policies that must be followed, affecting not just online casino operators, but also the casino players. Online gaming licensing and licensing jurisdictions play a crucial role in sustaining the casino business and entertainment; they directly affect both operators and casino players and enthusiasts.
For casino operators and potential investors, the license is a stamp of approval, a green light to engage in gambling activities and services in the selected country or territory. Without the license, the operations will not take off, and would be considered illegal. And for the players and consumers, licenses and the jurisdictions that offer them can serve as a guide to choosing what casinos to go for. Licensing agreements (or the absence of it) can be used as a litmus test, to see whether the casino is a reputable platform to check out or one that must be avoided at all cost.
Therefore, at HitListCasinos, all online casinos that we present do have licenses in various jurisdictions, as that is one of our quality control measures. Here, we acknowledge the importance of licensing jurisdictions and what they mean to the business industry, we list down the most popular and important jurisdictions in the world that every responsible casino player should be aware of.
United Kingdom (UK Gambling Commission)
The UK Gambling Commission is one of the most popular licensing bodies, with jurisdiction in Great Britain. Its stamp of approval is carried by some of the leading online casinos. The commission started under the Gambling Act of 2005 and took complete responsibility for online gaming in Great Britain after two years. The commission covers bingo, betting, arcades, slot machines, lotteries, and remote gambling- especially online betting using communication devices.
As a leading licensing jurisdiction in the world, it offers licenses to applicants provided that gambling is not used as a source of crime or is associated with crime. Also, the commission ensures that children and the vulnerable are protected, and games and services are conducted in a fair manner. The company is headquartered at Victoria Square House in Birmingham.
Malta (Malta Gaming Authority)
The Malta Gaming Authority is considered a top licensing jurisdiction highly sought after by many casino operators and investors. Driven by its core values of transparency, humane approach, innovation, neutrality, and knowledge, this licensing and governing body is in charge of regulating both land-based and online gaming in Malta. It currently offers four types of licensing agreements: Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, and Class 4 licenses. Class 1 refers to remote gaming license, where the operator manages risks, while Class 2 is applicable to sports betting. Class 3 refers to the license to advertise gaming, while Class 4 refers to the license to manage remote gaming. The body offers a one-stop licensing hub. Currently, the most popular market in Malta is online gaming, and approximately 10 percent of all online casinos are licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority.
Gibraltar (Gibraltar Regulatory Authority)
The Gibraltar Regulatory Authority provides licenses to companies and gambling sites with proven track records and good financial standing. This institution has granted licenses to several premium online casinos and gambling companies, including Coral Casino, 32Red Casino, Cassava Enterprises Ltd, 888 Casino, Gamesys, Nektan (Gibraltar), and IGT (WagerWorks), among others. The company requires that all applicants should certify and test their games and services as per their licensing rules and agreements. Some of the approved testing houses are eCOGRA and iTech Labs.
Isle of Man (Gambling Supervision Commission)
Established in 1962, the Gambling Supervision Commission of the Isle of Man is another popular licensing jurisdiction. Although its primary function is to license land-based casinos, it has also included online gambling activities in its coverage. The Isle of Man ensures the casino gaming industry is free from criminal activities and protects the young and vulnerable from risks and exploitation. It was one of the first jurisdictions to offer legislation and rules to benefit e-gaming companies and also protect the players, back in 2001. Today, the rules and licensing regulations of the Isle of Man are more up-to-date and responsive, giving way to dynamic gaming industry requirements.
Kahnawake (Kahnawake Gaming Commission)
Kahnawake Gaming Commission is one of the earliest players in the licensing business. Kahnawake is an Indian territory in Quebec, Canada. Dozens of companies and online casinos receive approval and licensing from this commission. The Kommission has given and approved licenses for more than 50 gaming companies, representing over 250 online casinos, including online poker rooms and land-based poker rooms located in the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake. Initially established in 1996 based on the Kahnawake Gaming Law, as envisioned by the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake.
These are five of the most popular gaming jurisdictions in the world. While each commission has its own rules and policies in confirming applications, all share the belief that online gaming must be protective, fair, and free from criminal activities. So compliance and understanding of these licensing jurisdictions are a must, not just for operators but for players as well. Compliance to the regulations and laws of licensing jurisdictions helps to build a productive gaming community, while an understanding of these regulations helps to promote informed and responsible casino gaming among players and consumers. Here at HitListCasinos, we care for our players and enthusiasts and recommend that you read our section covering Responsible Gaming as part of our educational guides.
