To operate an online
casino, poker room or sports betting gaming site legally you will need
to obtain a gambling license first. The actual gambling license to
operate online gaming site is issued by many governments worldwide, but
the most popular jurisdictions issuing such offshore gambling licenses
are from the Caribbean and Pacific Island Governments such as Antigua
and Barbuda, Costa Rica, St Kitts, Dominica, Curacau and Vanuatu.
When
selecting a gambling license jurisdiction, you should select one with a
sensible approach to taxation, and license cost in combination with a
strong licensing law and technical standards. Contact
us now to request free information on gambling licensing and turnkey
online casino solutions.
Why do you need the gambling license for
your online casino, poker or sports betting site?
It is possible to make your online gaming
business without a license, but most of major online casinos have
license. Here are three main causes why it is worth to have a gambling
license.
- In player's opinion gambling license
guarantees reliability and straight dealing of the gaming company.
Players have more confidence playing in casinos and poker rooms with
license.
- In case of a settlement account
opening banks insist on gambling license and especially while
concluding agreements for receiving payments from bank cards.
- In many countries operating a gambling
business without a gambling license is illegal and it may result in
termination and criminal responsibilities.
You can apply for a gambling license in
one of the countries listed below:
Antigua and Barbuda is a twin-island
nation located in the Eastern Caribbean. Antigua and Barbuda was one of
the first jurisdictions to license interactive gaming and wagering
companies in 1994. The internet gaming companies are classified as
“Financial Institutions” and are subject to all the Anti-Money
Laundering (AML) and Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF)
requirements of the jurisdiction.
The licensing and regulation of online
gambling services on the islands of Antigua and Barbuda is handled by
the Financial Services Regulatory Commission's Division of Gaming. The
FRSC Gaming Division awards two types of licensees: interactive gaming
and interactive wagering.
The gaming license is for casino and
poker sites and the wagering license is for sports betting sites. It's
one of the offshore jurisdictions which contain the biggest number of
registered online casinos.
For more information on Antigua's
interactive gaming and wagering laws and regulations see the following:
Interactive
Gaming and Interactive Wagering Regulations, as Amended 2007
Control
Systems Guidelines
Social
Responsibility Commitment
The Antiguan gaming regulations are
enforced by the Antiguan Directorate of Offshore Gaming (the
“Directorate”). For more information on obtaining a gambling license
in Antigua and Barbuda please visit www.antiguagaming.gov.ag
Costa Rica is the Mecca of online casinos
and poker rooms because it has the best infrastructure available in the
Caribbean basin - its reliable telecommunication system, its
multilingual workers, and its lack of online gaming and Internet
regulations. A lot of online casinos have chosen Costa Rica as
registration country because of the fact that there are no direct
prohibition on gambling business and no necessity to receive a special
license.
There is no online gambling license in
Costa Rica. A company incorporated under the laws of Costa Rica can
operate an online gaming business. Companies operate under a "data
processing" license.
Costa Rica is home to 200+ online
gambling companies, without a legislation specifically dealing with
gambling over the Internet. Legislation does exist to restrict
land-based gambling, but these laws are not interpreted as extending to
Internet gambling.
The requirements to obtain a license are:
- Office Lease Contract
- Health permit
- Workers insurance policy
For more information please visit http://www.meic.go.cr
Kahnawake is an Indian (native American)
territory in Quebec, Canada.
The Kahnawake Gaming Commission is an
organization that licenses a large number of online casinos and online
poker rooms. The Kahnawáke Gaming Commission was established in June
1996. The Commission is empowered to regulate and control gaming and
related activities within and from the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawáke.
These gaming activities are regulated in accordance with the highest
principles of honesty and integrity.
The fee for the initial application is
C$15,000 plus an annual license fee of C$10,000
Visit http://www.gamingcommission.ca
for more information.
Panama
Panama adopted regulations governing the
licensing of electronic games of chance and wagering activities in late
2002. Internet gaming companies domiciled in Panama enjoy complete tax
exemptions. Customs duty concessions are given for imports needed to
carry on Internet gaming. As long as the income made from Internet
operations are to jurisdictions outside of Panama, there is no income
tax, withholding tax, sales tax or VAT taxes. Offshore companies, such
as online gaming companies are not subject to foreign exchange control.
There is also a new call center incentive and training program that
boast numerous qualified bilingual workers.
The regulations allow master licenses to
be granted that are valid for up to seven years upon payment of a
license fee of US$40,000. There is also an annual license fee of
US$20,000. Master license holders may grant sub-licenses, which are
subject to the annual fee. Applicants must pay all investigation costs
incurred in the processing of the application. Operators must comply
with money-laundering regulations and notify the Financial Analysis Unit
of any suspicious transactions above US$10,000. An account must be
maintained to guarantee payment to winners. Until now a very few
companies have applied for the license, mainly due to the huge paper
work and the cost of the gambling license.
Antilles Netherlands and Curacao
Within the Netherlands Antilles, Curacao
offers gambling licenses for online casinos, poker rooms and sportsbooks.
Gambling licenses are available through the Department of Justice or
through sub-licensing from an existing gambling license holders.
Licenses from the Department of Justice last for two years.
Gibraltar
All gaming operations in Gibraltar
require licensing under the Gambling Ordinance 2005. Remote Gambling
licenses, including for telephone and internet betting, are issued by
the Government of Gibraltar.
Only companies with a proven track record
in gaming, of reputable standing and with a realistic business plan can
be granted gambling licenses. Gibraltar gaming licenses are generally
difficult to obtain.
For more information on obtaining a
gambling license in Gibraltar visit http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/internet-gaming
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man specifically encourages
the location of online gambling businesses: "The Isle of Man
Government actively encourages the development of gambling and e-gaming
business on the Isle of Man. It remains committed to delivering a stable
government and strong regulatory environment, supported by a wide range
of attractive Business Benefits."
The Commission requires independent
testing of software to ensure games offered are not rigged and will make
accurate payment of player winnings. Games may only be offered by
licensed, corporate operators. All operators must also establish bond
arrangements to guarantee players will be paid in the event the licensee
ceased operations for any reason.
Fees
- GBP35,000 per annum
- GBP1000 one off administration fee
which is non-refundable
Duty
- for gross gaming yield not exceeding
£20 million per annum 1.5%
- for gross gaming yield of more than £20
million per annum, but not exceeding £40 million per annum 0.5%
- for gross gaming yield exceeding £40
million per annum 0.1%
For more information on how to obtain a
gambling license in the Isle of Man please visit
http://www.gov.im/gambling/licensing
Contact
us today to request information on available turnkey online casino,
multiplayer poker and sports book solutions and our account executive
will contact you within 24 hours to discuss your options. We look
forward to hearing from you!
