Short definition
A licence issued by the regulator (in Estonia the Tax and Customs Board) that lets a casino operate legally and protects players’ rights.
A licence is a permit issued by a regulator that obliges a casino to follow rules protecting players: fair games, protection of funds, responsible gambling tools and data security.
In Estonia, online casino licences are issued by the Tax and Customs Board. A licensed casino is supervised and offers players legal protection.
Common international licences are the MGA licence (Malta) and the Curaçao licence. For the Estonian permit see the Estonian gambling licence.
Source: Online gambling (Wikipedia).
How to check a licence
- Find the operating company's name and licence number in the casino's footer or terms.
- Check it in the regulator's public register; in Estonia the Tax and Customs Board publishes a list of legal gambling operators: MTA: list of legal gambling operators.
- Make sure the casino's brand or web address appears in the register under the same operator.
- See what the licence permits: a licence in one country does not automatically mean the activity is allowed in Estonia, where the Gambling Act applies.
A fuller guide is at how to check an online casino licence.
Common mistakes
- a logo in the footer is not a licence: the proof is a number and an entry in the register;
- the licence belongs to a company, not a brand: one operator can run several brands, and the register has to be searched for exactly that;
- a licence does not automatically mean fast withdrawals or a good bonus; it means rules are followed and supervised;
- Pay N Play or Trustly does not mean the casino is licensed: see Pay N Play.
What a licence gives you in practice
A licensed casino has to carry out KYC checks, offer responsible-gambling tools and answer to supervision. In a dispute, first turn to the casino's support and then to the regulator; the casino's terms say where. A summary of casinos on the Estonian Tax and Customs Board's list is on Estonian-licensed casinos. Pangakasiinod.ee explains the practical side of the Estonian permit in Estonian gambling activity licence, and the self-exclusion register on the page HAMPI. For changes in the Curaçao licence see the Curaçao CGA licence.
“Example: an online casino operating in Estonia must hold a licence from the Tax and Customs Board. The licence can be checked in the regulator’s public register.
1. Fair games
A licence requires an independently tested random number generator.
2. Money protection
Players’ funds must be segregated and protected.
3. Responsible gambling
A licence comes with mandatory limit and self-exclusion tools.
4. Supervision
The regulator monitors activity and handles complaints.
The Tax and Customs BoardThe Estonian regulator
Fairness, money protection, legal protectionGuarantees
In the public registerVerifiable
How to check whether a casino is licensed?
Licence information is usually in the casino footer, and it can be checked in the regulator’s public register. In Estonia that’s the Tax and Customs Board.
Why is a licence important?
A licensed casino is under supervision, must ensure fair games and money protection and gives the player legal protection in disputes.
21+ Gambling is intended for players aged 21 and over only. A fast withdrawal does not make gambling a safe source of income. Only play with money you can afford to lose. If needed, set self-limits or seek help:
responsible gambling.
