Licensing Bodies and Regulators

Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is the regulatory body responsible for all online and land-based gaming in Malta. It was established in 2001 to regulate the various sectors of the gaming industry that fall under the MGA's authority. MGA serves as a regulating body by ensuring fairness and transparency to players using gaming services, preventing crime, corruption and money laundering and protecting minor and vulnerable players. The MGA was one of the first regulators to offer legislation that regulates the activity of online gambling companies and create a secure atmosphere for players.

UK Gambling Commission (UKGC)

The UK Gambling Commission was created under the Gambling Act of 2005. However, it did not start full operations until September 1, 2007. UKGC was established to primarily regulate the UK gambling industry, with a particular focus on online gaming. The UK Gaming Commission covers remote gaming and several segments of the land-based industry. The UKGC is popularly regarded as a prime gambling regulator, and used as a benchmark for comparing regulatory bodies in other countries and states.

Gambling Supervision Commission (Isle of Man)

The Gambling Supervision Commission ('GSC') is an independent statutory board established in 1962. The commission regulates and licenses land-based gambling operations as well as online gambling activities. Registration Act (OGRA) 2011 is one of the laws created by GSC to implement player's protection.

Alderney Gambling Control Commission

The AGCC was established in May 2000. The Commission is the sole body regulating eGambling on behalf of the States of Alderney. The Commission's mission is to maintain the integrity and ensure fairness of online gambling business in Alderney. The body is also to ensure that its regulatory and supervisory approach meets the very highest of international standards. Hence, AGCC is regarded as one of the strictest and most respected gaming commissions in the world.

Gibraltar Regulatory Authority

The GRA is the statutory body in Gibraltar. It is responsible for regulating gambling and electronic communications. The commission has reputation of being strict and meticulous in its casino inspections. As a result, GRA is one of the most respected and sought after amongst online casino operators.

Italy: The Amministrazione Autonoma dei Monopoli di Stato

The government has made it the responsibility of the AAMS to oversee the country’s (Italy) gambling market, issue licenses and regulate other gambling matters. In that capacity, the AAMS devised a series of rules and regulations for online casinos that want to offer services in Italy. Some of these regulations stipulate that licenses would cover casino gambling, horse racing, sports betting, poker and bingo.

France: ARJEL

 ARJEL was established under the French gambling act of 2010. The body is an independent administrative authority, specifically designed to regulate online gambling in France. ARJEL issues licenses to operators that are willing to provide online casino and gambling services to local citizens.

Spain: Spanish Gaming Commission (Comision Nacional del Juego)

The Spanish Gaming Commission is responsible for all gambling regulations in Spain. Its primary responsibilities revolve around the regulation of national lotteries, plus the monitoring of gambling activities in all 17 regions. However, in 2010, the Commission was also given the task of developing new guidelines particularly for online gambling, that could be implemented on a nationwide basis. In May of 2011, the Spanish Gambling act was finally passed by the Senate and in June of 2012, the very first batch on iGaming licenses were issued to over 50 casino operators.

Belgium: Belgian Gambling Commission

The Belgian Gaming Commission is one of the strictest regulatory bodies in Europe. Since 1999, they have been fulfilling a key role in providing advice, approving license applications and monitoring compliance within the Belgian gaming industry including online casinos. The commission has kept a limit on the licenses that can be granted, which makes it particularly difficult for new casinos to comply with these restrictions.

Denmark: Danish Gambling Authority

The Danish Gaming Authority was established by the primary legislation for gambling activities in Denmark. The body is tasked with the administration of gambling legislation, including lotteries, betting, online casinos, gaming machines, public poker tournaments, and land-based casinos. Their key duties include issuing licenses to provide gambling, supervision of gambling operators etc.

Bulgaria: State Commission on Gambling

The Bulgarian State Commission on Gambling regulates both land-based and online gambling in Bulgaria. It oversees the licensing, regulations, auditing, and taxation of all gambling activities, facilities, equipment, distributors, and maintenance firms both online and land-based.

Ireland: Revenue Commissioners of Ireland

The Revenue Commissioners is the Irish Government agency responsible for customs, excise, taxation and gambling regulations. They actively monitor compliance by remote operators with the licensing regime that applies for remote bookmakers and remote betting intermediaries.

Sweden: Swedish Gambling Authority

The Swedish Gambling Authority is the body given the task of ensuring the legality, safety and reliability of the Swedish gaming and gambling market. The authority aims to come up with strict regulations that will promote safe and fair gameplay.

Portugal: Inspectorate General on Gaming

The Inspectorate-General for Gaming is the sole gambling regulator in Portugal. Its laws are binding on casinos and players alike. It can prohibit any player’s access to gambling venues. Such measures can be demanded by the operator, the Inspectorate-General or by the player.

Greece: Hellenic Gambling Commission

 The Hellenic Gaming Commission established by Law 4002/ 2011 is the competent authority responsible for regulating the gambling industry, approving licenses and making main gambling laws in Greece.

Czech Republic: Gambling and Lottery Supervision Department Ministry of the Czech Republic

The ministry aims to ensure stricter state supervision, proper taxation of gambling, effective sanctioning of illegal operators and recently introduction of complex regulation for all forms of online gambling in Czech Republic.

PAGCOR and FCLRC

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is government-owned and is mandated to conduct and establish gaming pools and casinos in the country. The firm operates its own casinos and oversees and regulates privately owned casinos including online casinos.

The First Cagayan Leisure and Resort Corporation (FCLRC) is also based in Philippines. It operates and supervises tourism-related facilities and activities such as internet games and casinos.

Curacao Internet Gambling Association

The Curaçao Internet Gaming Association, recognized as one of the most stable gaming regulatory authorities is an accredited online gambling regulatory body within its jurisdiction, ensuring that their members agree to abide by a code of conduct that ensures compliance with all the licensing requirements and promote honesty and fair play.

Antigua Division of Gaming

The Division of Gaming is the regulatory body responsible for the oversight of all aspects of the Offshore Gaming industry in the jurisdiction of Antigua and Barbuda. The Division aims to strengthen the industry’s commitment to responsible gaming and social responsibility and protect players.

Kahnawake Gaming Commission

The Kahnawake Gaming Commission is the official gaming regulatory body that licenses and regulates a large number of online casinos and online sportsbook sites, that are situated within and from the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake.

Panama Gaming Control Board (Junta de Control de Juegos)

The Gaming Control Board is responsible for issuing licenses and monitoring the operations of all licensed gambling sites. It was established in 1947, and all Internet gaming companies in Panama have to be registered under the online gaming act of 2002.

ACT Gambling and Racing Commission

 Established under the Gambling and Racing Control Act 1999, The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Gambling and Racing Commission has the responsibility of regulating the gambling industry which includes gaming machines, casino, Racing and lotteries etc.

Northern Territory director-General of Licensing

The Northern Territory director-General of Licensing gives licenses, checks and regulates the activities of casinos, both land-based and online in the Northern territory of Australia.

Vanuatu Customs and Inland Revenue

 The Department of Customs and Inland Revenue is in charge of online casinos licensing process in Vanuatu. Operators seeking Vanuatu license undergo stringent testing before obtaining it.

Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation – Victoria

VCGLR is the independent statutory authority that regulates Victoria's gambling and liquor industries and ensures safe and responsible gambling and liquor environments for victorians.

Tasmanian Gaming Commission – Tasmania

The Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission was established under the Gaming Control Act 1993.  It is an independent body responsible for the regulation of gaming in Tasmania.