TimothyOnline gambling is a lucrative industry, both for those who run non GamStop casinos and for the authorities that offer licenses. There are therefore a number of different authorities that currently offer licenses for gambling in Europe.
Malta Gaming Authority
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is probably the licensing body most players have heard of. Malta was early on in offering casino licenses and is today home to several of the largest players in iGaming in Europe.
The Malta Gaming Authority is widely known to be one of the strictest licensing authorities in the industry. An application process can take up to a year and it is one of the most expensive licenses you can apply for.
For you as a player, it is an advantage that the casino you play at has a license from Malta because it is considered one of the most difficult licenses to be granted. MGA sets extremely strict requirements for security for you as a player and how the company behind the casino is structured.
MGA also offers players direct help if you have problems with a non GamStop casino that has a MGA license. It can prove to be worth its weight in gold for you as a player, as taking on the fight against the casino on your own quickly becomes a modern David versus Goliath.
Curaçao eGaming
Curaçao is an island nation that is subject to the Netherlands. Curaçao eGaming saw the light of day in 2016, so they are a relatively young license provider, but they have quickly made a name for themselves and you will find more and more casinos with a license from Curaçao eGaming.
Curaçao eGaming currently offers a license for external operators, software developers and service providers. Unlike the Malta Gaming Authority, Curaçao eGaming offers a much faster application process and it is also much cheaper to apply.
The number of casinos with a license from Curaçao has increased sharply in recent years. To a large extent, this is due to the simple and affordable application process. There are a large number of serious players who have a license from Curaçao, but for you as a player this is not necessarily the best license.
As a licensing authority, they disclaim most of their responsibility should you have problems with a casino. Unlike MGA, where you are guaranteed help throughout, there is little, if any, support to be had from Curaçao eGaming.
UK Gambling Commission
The UK Gambling Commission is, like the MGA from Malta, the body most players have heard of. The majority of non GamStop casinos have a license from either the MGA or Curacao eGaming Control Board, and for you as a player the two are more or less equal.
The UKGC is today one of the most recognized licensing authorities in the world and issues licenses for all types of gambling throughout the UK, including online casino and the National Lottery. Via the UKGC, both companies and individuals can apply for a license to offer gambling.
In the same way as the MGA, the UKGC also sets extremely strict requirements for the applicant and the process can take many months. Again, it is primarily your safety as a player that is in focus and the UKGC is quick to withdraw licenses from casinos they find to have broken the regulations.
It should be demanding to obtain a license to offer gambling and it is with the UKGC. The applicant must prepare for a demanding and expensive process without any guarantee that the application will be approved. For you as a player, this is great, as you can feel confident that the casino is not only run by serious people, but also that the UKGC is ready to help you should problems arise.
Cyprus Gaming Commission
Cyprus had a ban on casino operations in the country for a long time, but the financial crisis in 2012 meant that the legislation was gradually changed when they realized that it could mean significant income for the state.
The legislation has undergone a large number of changes since 2012 and new changes are expected in the coming years. In just a few years, the country has gone from not allowing any kind of casino games to opening for both land-based casinos and non GamStop casinos.
The legislation is divided between two bodies, the Cyprus Gambling Commission and the National Betting Authority. The two govern different parts of the legislation, but despite that, the process for applying for a license is relatively quick and timely, as they only issue one type of license that covers all types of online gambling.
For those applying for a licence, the process is both reasonable and relatively quick, despite the fact that there are quite strict requirements for obtaining a licence. For you as a player, playing at a casino with a license from CGC and NBA is a relatively safe affair, but these are still very young licensing bodies that have issued relatively few licenses so far. It is therefore too early to say with certainty how the CGC and the NBA will deal with complaints and breaches of the legislation.
Alderney Gambling Control Commission
Alderney is part of the Channel Islands in the English Channel. They started Alderney GCC as late as 2000, but they quickly proved that they were by no means just in it to make a quick buck. The process of applying for a license is both complicated and time-consuming, which has led many to draw similarities between Alderney GCC, MGA and UKGC.
Alderney GCC is a relatively small licensing authority, but they certainly take their job seriously. Strict requirements for the applicant and a good system for dealing with complaints from players have meant that Alderney GCC has built up a very good reputation over more than 20 years.
Online Reporter