In short: A gaming licence is official permission from a gambling regulator to offer real-money games to players. It names the company, the products it may offer and the rules it must follow on player protection, anti-money laundering, fair games and reporting. Without one, banks, payment providers, game studios and most platforms will not work with an online casino.
Last reviewed: 28 October 2026.
Most first-time operators think of the licence as a box to tick before launch. In practice it shapes almost every other decision: which countries you can accept players from, which payment methods you can offer, which games you can show and how your marketing must look. This guide explains what a gaming licence is, who issues it, what it covers and why every online casino needs one. When you are ready to compare jurisdictions and costs, our licence cost comparison sets out the published fees side by side.
What a gaming licence is
A gaming licence (spelled “license” in the US) is a legal authorisation granted by a gambling regulator under the law of a specific jurisdiction. It allows the licence holder to offer defined gambling products, such as casino games, sports betting or lotteries, under defined conditions. The licence is tied to a legal entity, not a website: the regulator checks the company, its owners and its systems, and the company then remains answerable to that regulator for as long as it holds the licence.
A licence is not a one-off certificate. It comes with ongoing duties: annual fees, reporting, audits, changes notified in advance and, in many jurisdictions, renewal after a fixed period. Breaking the conditions can lead to fines, suspension or the licence being revoked.
Who issues gaming licences
Licences are issued by national or regional regulators. Some regulate only their own home market and license operators that want to serve local players. Others are known for licensing international online operators that serve players in several countries. Examples you will meet often in online casino planning include the Malta Gaming Authority, the Curaçao Gaming Authority and the Anjouan regulator, each with its own law, fees and conditions. Our Anjouan licence guide walks through one of these routes in detail.
What a licence allows, and what it does not
| A licence usually allows you to | A licence does not |
|---|---|
| Offer the gambling products named in it (for example casino, sports betting or both) | Make your offer legal in every country; each market has its own law |
| Accept players from markets the licence and local law permit | Override a country’s ban or its own licensing requirement |
| Show the licence seal and number on your site | Cover a product it does not name; a casino licence may not include betting |
| Open accounts with banks, payment providers and game studios that require licensed partners | Guarantee that every payment method or game provider will accept you |
| Advertise within the rules of the licence and the target market | Exempt you from local advertising, tax or consumer law |
The most common misunderstanding is the first row on the right. A licence from one jurisdiction does not open the whole world. Most licences come with a list of restricted markets, and many countries require operators to hold a local licence to serve their residents. Our article on restricted countries explains how to read those restrictions.
Why every online casino needs one
- It is the legal basis of the business. Offering real-money gambling without a licence is illegal in most jurisdictions and can expose the company and its directors to penalties.
- Payments depend on it. Card schemes, banks and payment providers ask for the licence before onboarding a gambling merchant. No licence usually means no cashier.
- Game studios and aggregators require it. Content providers license their games only to operators that can show a valid gaming licence for the markets served.
- Platforms and app stores check it. Hosting partners, app stores and advertising networks have their own gambling policies, and most ask for proof of a licence.
- Players and affiliates look for it. The licence seal is one of the first trust signals a player checks, and serious affiliates will not promote an unlicensed brand.
What regulators check before granting a licence
- The company and its people: ownership, directors and key staff, usually with “fit and proper” checks, background checks and proof of the source of funds.
- Anti-money laundering: written AML and counter-terrorist financing policies, a responsible officer, customer due diligence (KYC) and transaction monitoring.
- Player protection: responsible-gambling tools such as deposit limits, self-exclusion and reality checks, plus age verification and complaint handling.
- Fair games: certified random number generators and published return-to-player figures, often tested by an approved laboratory.
- Technical controls: security, data protection, record keeping and the ability to report to the regulator.
- Business plan and finances: target markets, products, marketing approach and enough capital to pay players.
Much of this is proven through the platform you run on. Our casino licensing checklist lists what your technology has to demonstrate.
Types of licence you will come across
| Type | Who it is for |
|---|---|
| B2C (operator) licence | Companies that offer gambling directly to players under their own brand |
| B2B (supplier) licence | Game studios, platform providers and other suppliers serving licensed operators, required in some jurisdictions |
| Vertical-specific licence | Separate permissions for casino, sports betting, poker or lottery in jurisdictions that split them |
| Local market licence | Operators serving residents of a country that requires its own licence |
Gaming licences and white-label platforms
If you launch on a white-label or turnkey platform, the licence question still needs a clear answer before you sign: which entity is licensed, for which products and markets, and who carries the KYC, AML and reporting duties. Those arrangements differ from provider to provider and belong in the contract. On the Spinlab platform, licence recommendations are part of every plan listed on the pricing page, and how licensing is set up for your project is discussed on the demo call. For the difference between the two platform models, see white label vs turnkey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a gaming licence the same as a gambling licence?
Yes. “Gaming licence”, “gambling licence” and “iGaming licence” are used interchangeably for the regulator’s permission to offer real-money gambling.
Can one licence cover casino and sports betting?
Sometimes. Some jurisdictions issue one licence for several verticals; others license them separately. Check the products named in the licence before you add a sportsbook. Our guide what is a sportsbook explains what the second product involves.
How much does a gaming licence cost?
It depends on the jurisdiction and the products. Regulators publish their application and annual fees; our licence cost comparison lists the published figures with sources.
Does a licence let me accept players from any country?
No. The licence sets restricted markets, and many countries require their own local licence. Plan your target markets first, then choose the licence.
Can I launch first and get the licence later?
No. Payment providers, game studios and most platforms need the licence before you take real-money players. Build the licence timeline into your launch plan; our guide on how to start an online casino shows where it fits.
What happens if I break the licence conditions?
Regulators can issue warnings and fines, add conditions, suspend the licence or revoke it. Losing the licence usually also ends your payment and game-provider relationships.
Next step
If you are planning a casino and want to understand how licensing fits with the platform, book a demo. We will walk through your target markets, the licence recommendations that fit them and what the platform covers on compliance.
