Safety

How to check if an online casino licence is real

DBy Daniel Whitford · 5 October 2026 · 6 min read

A two-minute check that protects you from rogue operators.

The licence is the single most important safety signal an online casino can give you. Here's how to verify it rather than trusting a logo in the footer.

1. Find the licence number

Legitimate casinos list the operating company and licence number in the footer or in the terms and conditions.

2. Check the regulator's public register

The UK Gambling Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority and most European regulators maintain public registers. Search the company name and make sure the licence is active and the domain is listed.

3. Be careful with "phantom" regulators

In 2026 the authorities in Comoros publicly described some licensing bodies operating in the name of the island of Anjouan as "fictitious", and asked the UK for assistance. A licence from a body with no real legal standing provides no protection at all.

4. Understand what the licence covers

A Curaçao licence is legal, but dispute resolution and player-fund protection are weaker than under MGA or UKGC rules. It doesn't mean a casino is bad — it means you have fewer options if something goes wrong.

About the author. Senior reviewer. Former payments analyst, now tests casino cashiers for a living.