Online casino licensing and regulation bodies

With the rapid rise in online casinos, it's becoming more important than ever to find which platforms are worth your time and money. Not all casinos are made equal, with some online gambling operators scamming users and running illegal operations.

This is why gaming regulatory authorities exist. Their job is to ensure that the casinos they test are legitimate and follow all applicable laws. Such regulatory bodies also make sure that the games you're playing are fair and not rigged. So, when you see some Canadian online casinos that are licensed and regulated by a reputable authority, you can gamble with peace of mind. 

But which gambling regulators are the most trustworthy? Which gambling licenses should you look for when choosing online gaming operators? We’ve got the list right here. 

eCOGRA

eCOGRA is a regulatory authority based in the UK. It was launched in 2003 and became the go-to name for player protection and fair play on gambling sites. All the major casino sites in Canada like the Yukon Gold Casino reviewed by LeafletCasino.com have an eCOGRA logo, showing that the company has audited them. Accessing slot machines and other casino games on eCOGRA-approved sites will give you the advertised RTPs and a secure experience. Here are some casinos other than Yukon Gold with this seal of approval:

• Quatro Casino
• Classic Casino
• Ruby Fortune
• Grand Mondial
• Zodiac Casino
• Captain Cooks

Kahnawake Gaming Commission

The Kahnawake Gaming Commission started operating in 1999, three years after its inception. Part of Kahnawake's Mohawk group, the Commission is tasked with overseeing online gaming licenses in the area. The certification from this regulatory body controls everything from slots to raffles hosted by the casino in question. The casino operators with this license, such as Quatro Casino online, ensure that all the relevant laws and regulations are followed. The KGC utilises the MIT (Mohawk Internet Technologies data center) to impose its online casino regulation guidelines on platforms like:

• Classic Casino
• Ruby Fortune
• Captain Cooks
• Zodiac 
• Grand Mondial 
• Yukon Gold

Malta Gaming Authority

One of the leading licensing and regulatory bodies in the gambling industry is the MGA. Other than issuing gambling licenses, it audits online gaming operators, protects users from exploitation, ensures all the games are tested and oversees financial transactions for a safe and reliable experience. The MGA does a lot more than this, which is why its licensed operators are thought of as some of the best worldwide. If you see a platform with a certificate from the MGA, chances are you'll have a safe, rewarding, and potentially lucrative time. Here are three of the top gambling websites with an MGA license:

• Betchan
• Wallacebet
• Ruby Fortune

Curacao E-Gaming Licensing Authority

Curacao is among the oldest and largest bodies of its kind. Thanks to a very easy registration process, it has licensed hundreds of casinos. All you need to have are enough funds and a working internet gambling site to get this license. On top of that, it only charges 2% as tax on the net profits. This makes it a gambling regulation that is very attractive for the casino industry. Curacao also allows operators to offer more than one service via a single license. So, if a platform offers both sports betting and traditional gambling titles, it needs only one license to operate. Some top platforms licensed by this gambling authority include:

• Olympia Casino
• Kahuna Casino
• Spin Samurai
• Aussie Play
• iLucky
• Free Spin
• Cobra Casino

United Kingdom Gambling Commission

A part of the UK Government, the UK Gambling Commission is an executive body that regulates gambling within the UK and beyond. The UKGC oversees games such as slots and poker as well as sports betting and lotteries. The Commission ensures secure gambling in any licensed casino you join. Other than monitoring platforms, it also holds the power to take action against them if they break the law. It can hand out warnings as well as fines to platforms that don't abide by relevant rules and regulations. Even though it has received some criticism for not monitoring some bookmakers, the UKGC remains a top authority in the online gambling industry. One of the best examples of platforms that follow its regulations is Betchan. 

To Sum Up

The existence of bodies that test and regulate online platforms is essential for the gambling world to survive. The last thing anyone wants is to place a wager only to find out that there is no random number generator ensuring fair play. With a certification from one of the mentioned bodies, a platform cannot deceive its players like that. That's why the first thing you should always look for when considering a new website is whether it has a well-reputed license or not. These will usually be shown as logos on the homepage of your chosen site.

Disclaimer |  Play responsibly. For help, visit www.rgf.org.mt. Players must be over 18, terms and conditions apply.