How to Check Casino Licence: Step-by-Step Guide
Knowing how to check casino licence details is the single most effective way to protect yourself before depositing at any online casino. Any site can display a badge or claim a licence number — but only the regulator’s official register confirms whether that claim is real. This guide walks you through the exact steps for verifying licences from the UKGC, MGA, Gibraltar, and Curaçao, and shows you how to spot fake licence claims.
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Why You Should Always Verify
Fraudulent casinos routinely display fake licensing badges. One investigation found operators creating counterfeit licence seals in as little as 20 minutes using basic image editing tools. Others steal real licence numbers from legitimate operators or link to fake verification pages designed to mimic official regulator websites.
Verifying the licence yourself — directly on the regulator’s official website — is the only way to confirm an operator is genuinely authorised. Our guide on how to spot a safe online casino covers the broader safety checklist, but licence verification is where it all starts.
Where to Find a Casino’s Licence Information
Licensed casinos are required to display their licence details publicly. The most common locations are:
- Website footer: Most operators place a licence badge and number at the bottom of every page
- Terms and conditions: The legal entity name, licence number, and regulator are typically stated in the opening section
- About us / Legal page: Some casinos have a dedicated page for regulatory information
If you cannot find any licence information after checking all three locations, that is a significant red flag. Legitimate operators have no reason to hide their licensing status. Understanding what different casino licences mean helps you judge the quality of the licence once you find it.
How to Verify a UKGC Licence
The UK Gambling Commission maintains a public register of all licensed gambling businesses. Here is how to check it:
- Go directly to gamblingcommission.gov.uk/public-register/businesses — never use a link from the casino’s website
- Search by business name, trading name, domain name, or account number
- Click on the result to view the full licence details
- Confirm the licence status shows as “Active”
- Cross-check that the domain names listed on the register match the casino’s actual URL
- Verify the legal entity name matches what appears in the casino’s terms and conditions
UKGC licence numbers follow a specific format: five sets of characters separated by hyphens (e.g., 003-123456-N-987654-001). The account number is the first six digits. The register contains over 2,600 records and is updated regularly.
If the licence status shows “Suspended”, “Revoked”, or “Expired”, do not play at that casino — even if their website still displays the UKGC badge.
How to Verify an MGA Licence
The Malta Gaming Authority provides two verification methods. You can use either or both to confirm a licence.
Method 1: Licensee Register
- Go to mga.org.mt/licensee-hub/licensee-register/
- Search by licensee name, authorisation status, URL, or gaming service
- Review the licence details including type, status, and approved game categories
Method 2: Dynamic Seal of Authorisation
- Go to authorisation.mga.org.mt
- Enter the company details or licence number
- The seal page displays: licence number, class type, game types, approved providers, company details, and associated website URLs
MGA licence numbers follow the format MGA/B2C/[number]/[year] — for example, MGA/B2C/486/2018. The MGA also publishes an enforcement register and a list of unauthorised gambling URLs at mga.org.mt, which is worth checking if you have any doubts. Our casino guides cover other aspects of MGA regulation in more detail.
How to Verify a Gibraltar Licence
Gibraltar’s Gambling Commission lists licensed remote gambling operators at gibraltar.gov.gi under the Finance, Gaming and Regulations section. Many Gibraltar-licensed operators also hold UKGC licences, so you may be able to verify them through the UKGC public register as well.
For complaints about Gibraltar-licensed casinos serving UK players, the same ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) process applies as for UKGC-licensed operators — the casino must direct you to an approved dispute resolution service.
How to Verify a Curaçao Licence
Curaçao’s licensing system was overhauled in December 2024 under the National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK). Verification now works through the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA).
- New system: Check the public licence register at gamingcontrolcuracao.org
- Legacy system: Some operators still display seals from the old Curaçao eGaming system at verification.curacao-egaming.com
The CGA issues two types of seals: a Certificate of Operation Seal (B2C, domain-specific) and a License Certificate Seal (B2B/B2C). When verifying, confirm the certificate URL starts with the official CGA domain and that the listed domain matches the casino you are checking.
Be especially careful with Curaçao licences. The old sub-licence system was widely exploited by rogue operators, and the transition to the new framework is still ongoing. If you want to play at casinos with stronger regulatory backing, check our best online casinos for operators licensed by the UKGC or MGA.
How to Spot a Fake Licence
Even after locating licence information on a casino’s website, you need to confirm it is genuine. Here are the most common signs of a fake licence:
| Red Flag | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Badge with no licence number | Decorative image only — not linked to any real authorisation |
| Licence number not found on regulator’s register | The number is fabricated or belongs to a different operator |
| Company name mismatch | The legal entity on the register does not match the casino’s T&Cs |
| Verification link goes to non-official URL | Phishing page designed to mimic the regulator’s website |
| Licence status shows Expired or Revoked | The casino lost its licence but still displays the badge |
| Domain not listed on the register | The licence may be real but does not cover the website you are using |
The golden rule: always type the regulator’s URL directly into your browser. Never click a “verify licence” link on the casino’s own website — it could redirect you to a fake verification page. For a deeper dive into warning signs beyond licensing, see our guide on casino red flags.
Quick Reference: Verification URLs
| Regulator | Official Verification URL | What to Search |
|---|---|---|
| UKGC | gamblingcommission.gov.uk/public-register/businesses | Business name, domain, or account number |
| MGA | mga.org.mt/licensee-hub/licensee-register/ | Licensee name, URL, or licence number |
| MGA (Seal) | authorisation.mga.org.mt | Company details or licence number |
| Gibraltar | gibraltar.gov.gi (Remote Gambling section) | Operator name |
| Curaçao (new) | gamingcontrolcuracao.org | Licence register search |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to check a casino’s licence?
Less than two minutes. Go to the regulator’s public register, enter the casino’s name or licence number, and confirm the status is active and the domain matches. It is the fastest safety check you can do before depositing any money.
What if a casino displays a licence badge but I cannot find them on the register?
Do not deposit. The badge is either fake or the licence has been revoked. Contact the regulator directly if you believe the operator may be committing fraud. Both the UKGC and MGA accept reports about potentially unlicensed operators.
Can a casino have a real licence but still be unsafe?
Yes. A valid licence means the casino met regulatory requirements at the time of issue, but it does not guarantee ongoing perfect behaviour. Check player reviews, complaint histories, and the regulator’s enforcement register for any past sanctions. Licences from weaker jurisdictions like Curaçao provide less ongoing oversight.
Should I check the licence before claiming a bonus?
Absolutely. If a casino is not properly licensed, its bonus terms are unenforceable — and so are your rights as a player. Always verify the licence first, then review the online casino bonus terms before opting in.
Does a casino need a separate licence for each country?
It depends on the country. Some jurisdictions (like the UK) require a specific local licence. Others accept licences from recognised authorities like the MGA. A casino may hold multiple licences to serve different markets — each can be verified independently on the relevant regulator’s register.
Conclusion
Checking a casino’s licence takes less time than creating an account — and it is the single most important step you can take to protect your money. Go directly to the regulator’s website, search for the operator, confirm the licence is active, and verify the domain and company name match. If anything does not line up, walk away. No bonus or game library is worth the risk of playing at a fraudulent site.
