How to find out if a casino has a valid license

Why know this

A licence is an operator's right to accept bids, hold your balance and process data. A valid license means that the regulator has not suspended or revoked the permit, and the domain/brand on which you play is officially covered by this license. The check will take 5-10 minutes and will save you from "freezing" funds and endless disputes.

Quick Check in 10 minutes (5 steps)

Step 1. Find details on the casino website

In the footer and in "Terms & Conditions" should be:

license number, full legal entity (OOO/Ltd/LLC, etc.), regulator/jurisdiction name, clickable links to KYC/AML, Responsible Gambling, Privacy policies.

💡 Just a logo without a number and click is the first red flag.

Step 2. Open the regulator register

Each regulator has an official register. Search by license number or legal entity. Check:

Status: Active/Live/Current. Refuse if Suspended/Revoked/Expired.
Trading names/Brands: Is the commercial name of the casino listed.
Authorized URLs/Domains - Whether the specific domain where you are located is the same.
Authorized activities: casino/sports/live; whether they correspond to the declared services.

Step 3. Match domain and brand

The same name ≠ the same owner. The license card must contain your domain or a direct indication of the right to use this brand. No domain - write to support for confirmation.

Step 4. Check white label

If the casino is a brand on another licensee's platform, the registry must state:

platform licensee (legal entity), list of connected brands/domains.
No mention of your domain - risk.

Step 5. Checking ADRs and complaints

The rules should include:

independent ADR/Ombudsman and how to file a complaint, deadlines for responding to claims, regulator contacts.
No ADR is a serious disadvantage.

How to distinguish a "valid" license from a pseudo-license

There is a status in the registry and it is "Active." A screen of a "certificate" on a casino website without an entry in the registry is not proof.

The domain/brand is linked to a license. "The company has a license, but this site is not mentioned" - a discrepancy.

Timeline and history of the discipline. The card often shows dates of issue/renewal and sanction; fresh suspension - stop.

Coincidence of a legal entity. The site rules and the registry must contain the same legal entity (or officially linked by white label).

Advanced check (another 10-15 minutes)

1. Clickable badges eCOGRA/GLI/iTech Labs/ISO - the badge should lead to the verification page of your domain/brand.

2. Whois domain and "mirrors"

A very "fresh" domain with a huge brand history is a reason to be wary. Mirror sites without a mention in the registry are a risk.

3. Rules sections

Check: withdrawal limits and deadlines, KYC/EDD/SoF rules, "closed-loop" (withdrawal to the deposit source), bonus policy (vager, max bet, games contribution).

4. Payment rails

Availability of known PSP/local fast translations is a plus. "Gray" aggregators/unrecognizable wallets - minus.

5. Responsible Gambling

Deposit/loss limits, timeout/self-exclusion are mandatory attributes of a licensed operator.

Red flags (if you see - leave)

Regulator logo without a number and a link to the registry.

A legal entity in the rules ≠ a legal entity in the registry, or is completely absent.

Your domain is not listed on the/white label license card.

Non-flexible "certificates" of RNG/audit, low quality pictures.

Aggressive bonuses with dishonest reservations (huge vager, tiny "max win" bonus).

"Output only 500 €/month. "without transparent cause and ADR.

They ask you to send documents to the messenger/mail (and not to your personal account).

The ban on mentioning disputes in public channels is a toxic practice.

How to ask the support correctly (template)

💡 Hello! Please confirm:
1. Full legal entity and license number.
2. Link to the register of the regulator with a card of our domain/brand.
3. Who is your ADR/Ombudsman and complaint deadline?
4. Do you have a closed-loop policy for payouts?
Thank you!

Refusal to provide is a good reason not to register.

Frequently Asked Questions (Mini-FAQ)

If there is a company in the registry, but there is no domain of mine - is that normal?

No, it isn't. Require confirmation of your specific domain coverage (trading name/authorized URL) or do not proceed.

The brand writes that it "operates under a platform license." That will do?

Only if your domain is among those authorized by the platform licensee (white label).

Can I believe the reviews instead of the registry?

Reviews are useful, but only the register of the regulator and the presence of ADRs confirm the legal status.

There is a license, but temporarily "Suspended." Is the game safe?

No, it isn't. Suspension means no activity/new customers. Wait until Active status is restored.

If the regulator of another country is bad?

Not necessarily. It is important that the license is real, valid, with a public registry and ADR, and the casino does not accept players from prohibited jurisdictions.

Check-list before registration (print)

The footer contains the license number and legal entity.
In the register of the regulator, the status is Active, the legal entity coincides.
Domain/brand listed on license card or platform licensee.
The rules have an ADR/Ombudsman and a timeframe for handling complaints.
KYC/AML, limits and lead times, closed-loop are prescribed.
Audit badges are clickable and lead to domain verification.
Real-world Responsible Gambling tools.
Payment methods are recognizable and local, without "gray" schemes.
Bonus terms are transparent (vager, max bet, games contribution).
A privacy policy with DPO contacts is available.

To find out if a casino has a valid license is about three things: the register of the regulator, the compliance of the domain/brand and legal entity and the presence of ADRs. Spend 10 minutes on reconciliation - and either calmly register, or save money and nerves by bypassing sites with dubious status.