Time2play’s Guide on How To Verify Online Casino Licenses 2025
All online casinos need a gambling licence for them to be allowed to operate. Without one, an operator is not bound to any requirements of providing a secure, fair, and honest product. Curacao’s Gaming Control Board operates under Netherlands Antilles law, providing sub-licensing through master license holders. This established jurisdiction offers cost-effective licensing solutions with reasonable regulatory oversight for international gaming operators. Québec’s gaming regulator oversees alcohol, racing and gaming activities, regulatory oversight and compliance with provincial laws and responsible gambling.
What If You Operate Without a License?
Many payment providers remain hesitant to partner with gambling platforms due to regulatory uncertainties. Operators must explore alternative payment methods like UPI and cryptocurrency while ensuring compliance with Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines. To wager with real money you must be physically present in a state where it’s permitted. We are not liable for any issues or disruptions users may encounter when accessing the linked gambling sites.
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- Licensing also gives operators legal clarity to process payments, advertise services and operate within established legal frameworks.
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- I can report it to state gaming boards in the US, or to consumer protection agencies if the casino targets US players without approval.
The need for licences is dependent on the type of product and the medium through which it is offered. In India, certain Relevant Products require licences which are mentioned below. In Karnataka, the permission granted previously to the Bangalore Turf Club by the state government is currently suspended due to allegations of illegalities and tax evasion by the turf club. In addition to the content in the corresponding cell, states such as Punjab, Kerala, Maharashtra, et al. allow only physical lotteries.
Kahnawake Gaming Commission is one of the oldest online gaming jurisdictions, provides comprehensive regulation since 1996 with stringent technical requirements and ongoing compliance monitoring for international operators. The majority of the State Gaming Laws do not impose social responsibility requirements on operators as most of them have been enacted to forbid gambling. The applicable GST on such services is 18% which is levied on the service fee/commission charged by the gaming operators. Consequently, it was exempted from the prohibitions under the State Gaming Laws and was also protected as a legitimate business activity under the fundamental rights granted by the Constitution. However, it also noted that an appeal from the Bombay High Court judgment delivered in the case of Gurdeep Singh Sachar v. Union of India & Ors. The said appeal is still at a preliminary stage, with notices having been issued to the relevant parties and the effect of the impugned Bombay High Court judgment stayed.
Some states have specific anti-gambling provisions in their police law (such as Karnataka and Tamil Nadu) and hence this gives the local authorities more reasons to be proactive in enforcement. While this does not fall within the ambit of a “licence”, an OGI offering an “online real-money game” is required to obtain a verification from an SRB in order to offer its online game to users in India. The process that the SRB will follow to assess and verify the game format will depend on the charter and governing documents of the SRB. At the time of writing, no SRB has been registered by the MeitY and hence there is no information available on the exact process of verification. For players, understanding the rules where they live and where the casino is based leads to safe and lawful play.
It oversees compliance under the Nagaland Prohibition of Gambling and Promotion and Regulation of Online Games of Skill Act, 2015, and its Rules, 2016. Unlike the official information Lotteries and Gaming Authority, which focuses on state-run lotteries, the Finance Commissioner’s jurisdiction covers licensing and regulatory oversight for online skill games such as poker and rummy. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the Income Tax Act regulate India’s online gaming and gambling tax structure.
Nagaland Authority Finance Commissioner
India’s online gaming sector is full of opportunity—but also subject to dynamic laws. Acquiring a valid gaming license shows that your platform is safe, legal, and ready for growth. Whether you’re launching a poker app, fantasy cricket site, or trivia quiz app, it pays to stay on the right side of the law. My journey in the iGaming industry has equipped me with a deep understanding of gaming strategies and market trends. I’m here to share my insights and help you navigate the exciting world of online gambling.
I approach them with caution and pay extra attention to player reviews and payout history. Some regulators are known for strict oversight, while others are more hands-off. When I check a casino, I always pay attention to who issued the license, because that tells me how much protection I can really expect. Promotion of responsible online gaming as a legitimate industry contributing to innovation, employment, and taxation. Without regulatory approval, most payment providers won’t partner with a site, app stores may decline distribution, and player acquisition becomes next to impossible.
Among those state governments that organise lotteries themselves, physical lotteries are conducted by their designated departments or the state finance ministry. Online casino regulation is influenced by cultural attitudes, political priorities, and economic considerations. Therefore, many Germans still choose offshore options for a better and unrestricted gambling experience. While public figures of fines don’t exist, players have been tracked via ISP data requests and flagged bank transactions.
In Sweden, for instance, casinos can expect to end up with licensing costs of between €229,950 and €257,450 based on the number of founders (this total includes things such as local servers and management fees). The Lottery Laws permit only certain kinds of licensed private lotteries and authorise the state governments to run lotteries subject to the conditions and regulations prescribed in the Lottery Laws. The state government may appoint private persons or companies to facilitate the conduct of the state-run lottery. Some states such as Madhya Pradesh and Bihar have completely banned all kinds of lotteries, while some other states have permitted only not-for-profit lotteries under a duly granted licence.
Technical Standards and Game Fairness Both Sikkim and Nagaland require rigorous testing to ensure fairness and randomness in gaming systems. In Sikkim, operators must use certified systems that undergo specific randomness tests to ensure unbiased outcomes. Similarly, in Nagaland, applicants seeking a skill games licence must submit random number generation (RNG) and software certification documents as part of their licence application, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. With an MBA in E-commerce, she has an expertise in SEO-optimized content that resonates with industry professionals.
