How to recognize fake license logos

Fraudsters like to "glue" the logos of respected regulators (UKGC, MGA, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Kahnawake, Alderney, Curacao, etc.) to create the illusion of legality. But the logo is just a picture. It is important to check if it has a real license, a correct link and matching legal data. Below is a compact verification system that takes 5-10 minutes and works even without special tools.

1) Express algorithm in 5-10 minutes

1. Clickability: the logo should lead to the permission card from the regulator (and not to the internal page "about us").

2. Data match: operator name, license number, jurisdiction and address in the regulator's card coincide with that in the basement of the site and in Terms/Privacy.

3. Domain chain: the link by the logo indicates the domain of the regulator, and not the redirect through the shortened/left domains.

4. Text around: license number/type (B2C/B2B), issue/renewal date, contacts for complaints (ADR/Ombudsman) next to the logo.

5. UI behavior: real badges have correct hovers/alt-texts/anchors; fakes have an "empty" picture without a description.

If any of the items "fail," delve into the extended check.

2) What fake logos look like (visual signs)

Older versions of emblems. Regulators update the firmtil; fraudsters often use outdated/redrawn loo.

Fuzzy PNG/JPEG. Official badges usually have pure vector graphics (SVG) or high DPI; fakes have "soap" edges, different line thicknesses.

Incorrect proportions/colors. Vertically compressed, repainted to fit the site design, inverted colors.

Grammatical errors. In the signature to the logo, the name of the regulator is distorted, strange capital/lowercase.

Language mismatch. There is only one site locale, the signature to the logo is on the other, with errors or machine translation.

Collages "from everything." In a row there are logo that are not combined (for example, two mutually exclusive regulators at the same time).

3) Link and code: what to check in one click

Where does the click lead. The license dossier of the regulator should be opened. Going to the page of the casino itself or an "empty" picture is a red flag.

Link address. The real domains of regulators are predictable (official domain of jurisdiction). Fake is redirects through abbreviators, strange subdomains, parameters with disguise.

'rel = "nofollow" '/hiding links. Sometimes there is a picture, but there is no click - or only the letters "More" are clicked, and also on the internal page.

`alt`/`title`. Honest - descriptively: "License No...., Operator...." Fakes - "image," "logo," empty.

Hosting pictures. If the logo file is loaded not from the casino domain, but from an incomprehensible CDN/file hosting service, it is very suspicious.

4) Text inconsistencies in documents

One operator is different names. There is one legal entity in the basement, another in Terms, and a third next to the logo.

No license number or type. Only "Licensed by..." without resolution code/category.

Incorrect jurisdiction. The regulator is indicated as "brand," and the legal address is in the country where this regulator does not operate.

No ADR/complaints. Respectable regimes always have a way of complaining to a third party.

5) Techniques for advanced verification

Open the logo in a new tab. Look at the file name (random123. jpg - suspicious), size (too small/pinched), metadata (sometimes the editor is visible).

Compare with the official media kit. The hue/indent/font discrepancy is a strong counterfeit indicator.

Check the clickable area. Often it is not the logo itself that clicks, but the microlink next to it - a typical "disguise."

Look for the license number in the text of the site. The number should be found in several places in the same way, and not "walk" in numbers.

Link stability. On honest sites, the license card URL is constant; fakes often change link/domain.

6) Table "real badge vs fake"

Criterion	Real badge	Fake badge
Clique	To the permission card from the regulator	On the inner "about us "/picture/nowhere
Text side by side	Number, license type, operator, ADR	"Licensed by..." without number and details
Graphics	Clear, vector, correct colors and fields	Muddy, repainted, stretched
Data	Match basement and policies	Different legal entities/addresses/numbers
Behavior	Adequate hovers, alt/title	Null attributes, zero-click
References	Direct domain of the regulator	Abbreviators, suspicious redirects

7) Red flags (when to close the site right away)

Logos "for beauty": everything clicks only on the main one.

In the basement - "Licensed by...," but without a number.

Operator mismatch: the regulator has one name in the card, and another on the site.

"Prefabricated hodgepodge" from the logos of regulators who do not issue B2C licenses for online casinos of this type.

"License" in a country where online casinos are prohibited or there is no profile regulator.

Support refuses to give a license number and a link to the card.

8) What to ask support (and which answers are normal)

1. License number and type?

Normal: "No. ХХХХ, B2C, operator Company Ltd."

2. Direct link to the card from the regulator?

Normal: gives a link, the data matches the basement.

3. Who is the ADR/Ombudsman and how do you make a complaint?

Normal: calls service, timing and order.

4. Registered office and jurisdiction?

Normal: matches the license card and documents on the site.

Evasive answers are a reason to leave.

9) Frequent tricks of scammers

False badge of the "partner" instead of the license. For example, the laboratory/association logo is passed off as a regulator.

"Aggregator License." The B2B provider with its license does not "share" it with the casino.

Substitution of ADR for "internal arbitration commission." This is not an independent mechanism.

Pseudo-PDF certificates. Beautiful files without the possibility of reconciliation in the registry.

10) If you found a fake

1. Do not make a deposit.

2. Take screenshots of logos, links, basement, Terms/Privacy.

3. Check the brand in the official channels (their website/social networks: whether the domain and the list of mirrors match).

4. Inform the brand and the regulator about the phishing site to protect others.

5. Change passwords and enable 2FA if you have already entered data.

6. Do not transfer KYC documents outside of the domain confirmed by the brand.

This license is verifiable data and a working link to the card from the regulator, and not just a beautiful icon in the basement. Check clickability, matching legal data, link domain, graphics quality and ADR presence. Any combination of a "blank" logo, internal links and name discrepancies is a signal to close the site and look for a safe alternative.