Gambling Licenses

A simple search for online casinos on the web and you are bombarded with a long list of numerous casinos. You browse through a few and they all seem real enticing with great offers and games. But how do you know if these online casinos are authentic and aren’t just rip offs?

One of the best ways to check the credibility of an online casino is by checking it has a gambling license. If the casino is a licensed one you can be sure that it’s genuine. There are several licenses that are issued from various governmental jurisdictions so it’s important to know which these are.

Here’s a list of casino gambling licenses which are required for operating licensed internet casinos and land based casinos in various countries.

North America:

Canada – Kahnawake
The Kahnawake Gaming commission started functioning from 1996. This commission has the powers to regulate the gaming and gaming related actions within and from the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake. The Regulations for this commission ensure that only suitable entities and persons are allowed to operate casinos within the territory, that games are provided in a fair manner to players and that the winners are paid.

Canada – Saskatchewan
The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) regulate and controls most gaming across Saskatchewan. SLGA employees conduct programs in Saskatoon to regulate the gaming activities. SLGA controls the casino slot machines operated by Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA). SLGA licenses and controls most kinds of gaming like bingo, casinos, and Raffles.

United states - Nevada
The Nevada Gaming Commission is comprised of a five member lay body that is selected by the Governor. The major responsibility of the commission is to regulate licensing and gambling in Nevada and is the decisive authority for all licensing matters. Any gaming license can be approved, restricted, limited, revoked or suspended by this commission. In addition to these responsibilities the commission is responsible for promulgating regulations to control the laws that govern gaming.

United States – California
In California the gambling license is offered by California Gambling Control Commission. The objective of this commission is to serve as regulatory body over:

• Gambling establishments
• Proposition Players
• Tribal Casinos

The commission’s major responsibilities regarding card rooms are to:

• Determine suitability for gambling license issuance
• Offer work permits to card room workers
• Ensure that unsuitable persons are not linked with controlled gaming dealings
• Act upon restricted transactions like change of ownership and lending arrangements
• Ensure that gambling activities are conducted in suitable locations
• Develop and implement regulations pursuant to Gambling control act
• Receive and analyze financial reports

Soon, the commission will be dealing with California games online as well.

United States – New Jersey
The gambling licenses in New Jersey are issued by Casino Control Commission. All gaming related workers, traders who are into continuing business with the casino hotels are required to get license from the Casino Control Commission as per “The New Jersey Casino Control Act”.

In order to apply for casino employee license, the person needs to file an application with New Jersey Casino Control Commission or request for the form to be mailed to him by calling 609-441-3015.

In New Jersey there are three kinds of casino employee licenses. They are:

• Casino key employee
• Casino employee
• Casino service employee

Europe:

Sweden
In Sweden the Gaming Board is the authority that regulates the Lotteries and Casino law. Gaming board is the licensing authority for lotteries conveyed through the slot machines, dice games, roulette games, and card games.

Lottery is a broad term which means the colloquial lottery and other events which involves outcome of chance. As per lottery law, betting, slot machines, roulette games, and dice games also come under lottery. Lotteries have been regulated in Sweden since the 1800s. Now they are governed by the Lotteries Act (1994:100) and Casino Act (1999:355). The regulation of Swedish gaming market is based on the fact that gambling is an event causing both individual and societal problems. Unauthorized lottery is a punishable offense in Sweden.

Gibraltar
Gibraltar is in the southern most point of Europe. Gibraltar has always been a well-regulated financial location and hence became a natural choice for gaming activities. The license for Gibraltar casinos is offered by Gibraltar Regulatory authority, also referred to as Gibraltar Gaming Commission. Over 10% of Gibraltar’s workforce is employed in gaming industry.

In Gibraltar online gambling started in the mid 1990s. The growth of online gambling started in the end of the last century. The Gibraltar Regulatory Authority offered licenses for online gaming in 1998. Victor Chandler and Ladbrokes were the first operators in Gibraltar. Currently Gibraltar jurisdiction has some of the biggest online gaming ventures.

The Gibraltar Regulatory Authority does not impose any initial licensing fee. But there is very severe initial inspection. The annual fee paid by the licensees is £2000. At first the Gibraltar Jurisdiction was functioned under Gambling Ordinance. The Gibraltar Regulatory Authority is responsible for forming the regulatory policies, evaluation of applications for new licenses, and other gaming related issues.
There are two critical requirements that have to be fulfilled by the licensees. The applicant has to submit a certificate that confirms the veracity of software from a valid inspection agency. The approved agencies for Gibraltar include eCogra, Technical systems testing.

We have seen the licensing authority for online gambling from various countries in North America, Sweden and other European countries. In each of these nations, online gambling is regulated by organized authorities. The online casinos could get their license only after satisfying the specific eligibility criteria. Thus it is obvious that there is lot of requirements to be fulfilled before getting the license.

It is very essential for the player to analyze the online casino website thoroughly for their license before playing real money games with them. Once you are sure that the online casino holds a license from a valid authority you could be assured of playing in a secure manner. So it is essential for an online casino player to check for the casinos license and the rules and regulations for online gaming in their jurisdiction.