Licensing of Crypto Casinos: What to Look For
Crypto casinosare getting more popular each year. For crypto players, it’s all about faster transactions, greater privacy, and the thrill of playing with different coins. Crypto gambling is quickly entering mainstream and even traditional online casinos start to accept crypto payments.
But as the industry grows, so does the need for security. Crypto casinos need to follow strict player protection regulations, place SSL certificates on their platforms and get a license.
Licensing is absolutely essential to show commitment to players. It is what stands between a secure, fair gaming experience and one where winnings disappear without explanation.
Why Licensing Matters
In the gambling world, licenses have always been the gold standard of legitimacy. The same principle applies to crypto casinos, perhaps even more.
With crypto currencies, anonymity and speed are marketed as a huge plus and that attracts players that want to start gaming immediately. But this is where licensing plays a huge part.
License is a type of safety showing that the casino is regulated by a real gambling authority like Malta, UK or Curacao. This way, a casino can’t just offer games without any accountability, the games are set under fair play and lawful rules.
Licensed crypto casinos like these on the Swedish market casinos with Swedish license , all follow local financial regulations and guidelines for fair play. This also reassures players that their money is protected while they play.
Key Licensing Authorities
Crypto casinos can have different licenses, depending on the jurisdiction. Some are globally recognized and respected, while others can be local licenses that protect both registered casinos in the country and players.
Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)
The Malta license (MGA license) is one of the most respected and recognized licensing gambling bodies.
Casinos with an MGA license must follow and respect strict requirements: player protection, financial transparency and fair games.
Crypto casinos with MGA license are audited on a regular basis, and in case of any player-casino disputes, they will intervene.
The MGA license is usually a sign that a casino is fair and legitimate.
Gibraltar Gambling Commission Licensing
Gibraltar has a strong reputation as one of the more strict gambling regulations. Usually all big casino brands hold this license.
This license signals that a casino invested heavily in compliance and that it takes long-term operations and player satisfaction seriously.
Curacao eGaming
Curacao is one of the most popular online casino licenses and that includes crypto casinos. Casino platforms can get this license really quick and at a lower cost than any other.
The Curacao regulations are not as strict as Malta or Gibraltar for that matter. Have in mind that not all Curacao casinos are the same, so be careful with these.
Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission
The Isle of Man is known for its high gambling standards and close monitoring of online casinos under its gambling license.
Crypto casinos that hold this license are relatively rare, but if you find them, you can be sure they can be trusted in following the top international gaming practices.
Offshore Casino Licenses
Here’s where things get interesting.
You will find casino operators that claim to be licensed by an offshore authority or by little-known jurisdictions. These jurisdictions in reality give little to no real oversight of the casino activities.
Unfortunately, in practice, these casinos don’t offer any player protection. Just have in mind if a casino has a license you never even heard of, consider it as a potential red flag.
Beyond the License
Finding a license listed on your desired crypto casino is just a start, but keep an eye out for a few more things:
- Legitimate casinos will show you who is the owner. Shady operators hide behind shell companies.
- Look for logos from organizations that check and test if the games are fair like eCOGRA or iTech Labs.
- Licensed casinos need to have player protection tools and those include: deposit limits, time-out options, and self-exclusion features.
- Good casinos will have fast and responsive customer service. If you can’t reach them on multiple channels, that’s another potential warning signal.
How to Verify a License by Yourself
Here’s how you can check the casino license:
- Most casinos display their licensing details in the footer.
- Click the license logo. A genuine license should link to the regulator’s website, where you can view the casino’s registration.
- Check the regulator’s database. Most licensing authorities allow you to search for a casino by name to confirm its status.
- If the license doesn’t match the casino details (for example, a different company name), that’s a big red flag.
Can You Ignore Casino Licensing
Crypto casinos that don’t have licenses can give you tempting bonuses, massive promotions, or higher payouts, but you are always under a risk.
You will have little to no protection if things go south. Any complaints about unpaid winnings, silent customer support or even manipulated games will go nowhere.
Operators without a license typically don’t have responsible gambling measures in place. This is putting vulnerable players at a higher risk of developing unhealthy habits that they can’t keep controlled.
All transactions are in cryptocurrency, and that means that if you lose the fund, the recovery would be virtually impossible.
