Regulated online casinos often have responsible gambling measures in place and are a source of critical tax revenue for local communities. They also benefit from state and federal protections.
Gaming control boards usually promulgate rules and regulations that govern gaming establishments, their owners, employees and vendors. The process of obtaining a license can be lengthy and arduous.
Malta Gaming Authority
The Malta Gaming Authority is one of the most respected online gambling regulators in the world. Its main functions include ensuring that all online casino operators follow the MGA’s gambling regulations, and providing protection to players. It also monitors data security, ensuring that online casinos are capable of safeguarding player information from hackers.
The MGA is not hesitant to suspend licenses of companies that don’t comply with its rules and standards. It has a dedicated team that audits gambling websites to ensure that they meet its requirements for anti-money laundering, player protection, betting integrity, and more.
In order to obtain an MGA licence, a company must submit detailed documents and undergo a thorough risk assessment. Additionally, it must comply with the MGA’s shared capital requirements. The shared capital is a sum of money that must be submitted as collateral in case the operator fails to pay out winnings to its customers. This requirement is a key component of the MGA’s strict licensing standards. It also provides a level of consumer protection that other European gambling authorities do not offer.
UK Gambling Commission
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is a government body that licences and regulates online casinos in the United Kingdom. It was established under the Gambling Act of 2005 to ensure that companies adhere to industry regulations and protect players. The UKGC oversees online gambling operations and monitors them on a regular basis. If they see that a company is violating the rules, it can issue a warning or even revoke their license. In addition, the UKGC works to prevent underage gambling and money muling.
The UKGC also has a responsibility to advise the Secretary of State on gambling matters. To meet this duty, the UKGC works with various partners, including licensing authorities, the Advertising Standards Authority (opens in new tab), and the Information Commissioner’s Office (opens in new tab). The UKGC also consults with stakeholders, such as faith and community groups, individuals with lived experience of gambling harm, and research bodies. The UKGC is also working to make sure that casinos comply with anti-money laundering (AML) requirements. This is a big part of their job, as it protects player funds and keeps them safe from cyber attacks and money muling.
Alderney Gambling Control Commission
The Alderney Gambling Control Commission is a nonpartisan and independent regulatory body that regulates eGaming for the state of Alderney. The AGCC licenses online casinos that have proven themselves to be responsible and transparent with their players, providing a safe gaming experience. It also focuses on establishing strong relationships with other regulators around the world to collaborate on matters of probity and due diligence investigations.
The AGCC prioritizes player safety and offers an efficient licensing process that can take as little as four weeks if all of the required documents are provided up front. This is a great advantage over other licences from the major jurisdictions, which can take years to obtain.
Licensed casino operators must adhere to strict rules regarding the protection of data and financial information, including having separate bank accounts for player funds and operational funds. This is an important step to protect players from fraud and money laundering. In addition, the AGCC requires that regulated casinos display the expected RTP rates of their games and use random number generator software to ensure fairness.
Gibraltar Regulatory Authority
The Gibraltar Regulatory Authority (GRA) sets legislation for online gambling platforms seeking to obtain a license in the jurisdiction. The non-profit organisation is among the most well-respected institutions worldwide regarding establishing standards for online gambling. The high licensing bar set by the GRA ensures that only respectable operators are licensed to operate in the territory.
The GRA also enforces anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism regulations. This includes enforcing social responsibility measures, conducting checks, and publishing codes of practice. It also offers advice to businesses and individuals on these topics, and operates under the Freedom of Information Act.
Gibraltar’s B2C operators with UK exposure are working to implement contingency plans, ensuring that they can continue to offer their services to players after Brexit. They are also leading on technological developments to identify markers of harm, and providing funding guarantees and commitments around harm reduction measures. This coordination will have a positive impact on UK consumers and benefit the wider industry as a whole. This is the way forward for responsible gambling. The GFSC is working to build a strong and effective partnership with these operators.
Gaming Board of Hungary
Having been around for several decades, Hungary’s Gaming Board of Hungary is an agency that regulates online casino gambling and sports betting in the country. Its functions are to ensure the integrity of the games, protect the player’s interests and promote responsible play. It also acts as a mediator for dispute settlements between operators and players.
The agency has a variety of tools to keep unlicensed operators out of the country, including website blocking and fines. It has also teamed up with the tax authority and the telecommunications regulator to try to stop them from operating in the country.
The state monopoly Szerencsejatek Zrt is still the dominant force in the online betting market, but it has been challenged by major market players. The current gambling law exempts winnings paid by licensed operators from personal income tax, but it strictly scrutinises winnings from unlicensed sports betting operators. It is expected that the SARA will implement a new set of rules and regulations for online casinos in the future. These will likely include strict payment blocking expectations and penalties against operators who fail to comply with them.