Casino Licences in Plain Words: MGA, UKGC, Curaçao and More

What a licence means for you

Ireland: where things stand

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) began licensing online betting on 1 July 2026. Licences for casino games come later: the GRAI says applications for gaming licences open during 2027 and 2028. Until then, no online casino holds an Irish licence, and every casino on our lists is licensed abroad.

Some protections in the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, such as the rules on advertising and bonuses and the national self-exclusion register, are not in force yet.

The licences at a glance

Licence	How much it protects you	Casinos on our lists
Malta (MGA)	Strong	4
Great Britain (UKGC)	Strong	4
Alderney	Strong	7
Kahnawà:ke	Good	7
Curaçao	Basic	19
Tobique	Weak	2
Anjouan (Comoros)	Weak	18
Costa Rica	The weakest	4
No licence listed	None we can check	4

Many casinos hold more than one licence; we score the strongest. The licence decides where you can complain, so check it before you deposit.

Malta (MGA)

One of the strictest regulators in Europe. Casinos must answer a complaint within 10 days, or 20 if they tell you they need longer, and must offer a registered independent dispute service.

Regulator: Malta Gaming Authority
How much it protects you: Strong
Where to complain: The MGA’s online complaint form (Player Hub, Lodge a complaint), or the independent dispute service named in the casino’s terms.
Casinos on our lists: 4

Great Britain (UKGC)

Strict rules on fairness, player funds and safer gambling. Few casinos that take Irish players hold it.

Regulator: UK Gambling Commission
How much it protects you: Strong
Where to complain: The independent dispute service the casino names, such as IBAS or eCOGRA. The Commission itself doesn’t settle individual disputes.
Casinos on our lists: 4

Alderney

A small Channel Islands regulator with a formal complaints procedure that ends in a hearing if either side disagrees.

Regulator: Alderney Gambling Control Commission
How much it protects you: Strong
Where to complain: The Commission, in writing ([email protected] or its contact form): it investigates and gives a decision you can appeal.
Casinos on our lists: 7

Kahnawà:ke

A Canadian First Nation regulator with a full-time dispute resolution officer. Don’t post the complaint on forums first: that can stop them helping.

Regulator: Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission
How much it protects you: Good
Where to complain: The Commission ([email protected] or its form), once the casino has given a final answer or 45 days have passed; within 6 months of the problem.
Casinos on our lists: 7

Curaçao

Most offshore casinos are licensed here. A new law in force since December 2024 made the rules stricter: casinos must answer a complaint within four weeks, or eight if they say they need longer.

Regulator: Curaçao Gaming Authority
How much it protects you: Basic
Where to complain: The casino’s certified independent dispute service, which is free. You can also report the casino to the Authority at [email protected], but it doesn’t settle individual disputes.
Casinos on our lists: 19

Tobique

A newer First Nation regulator in New Brunswick, Canada. It looks only at breaches of the licence; payout disputes go to the casino first.

Regulator: Tobique Gaming Commission
How much it protects you: Weak
Where to complain: Only through the “File a Complaint” link in the Tobique seal in the casino’s footer; a real seal opens validate.thetgc.ca. Unresolved disputes go to an approved independent service.
Casinos on our lists: 2

Anjouan (Comoros)

A light-touch licence from one of the Comoros islands, with little help for players in a dispute.

Regulator: Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority
How much it protects you: Weak
Where to complain: The casino’s own complaints process, and an independent dispute service if its terms name one.
Casinos on our lists: 18

Costa Rica

Costa Rica doesn’t license online casinos. A casino “licensed in Costa Rica” holds an ordinary business licence.

Regulator: None for gambling
How much it protects you: The weakest
Where to complain: Only the casino itself: there is no gambling regulator to take a complaint to.
Casinos on our lists: 4

How to check a licence is real

Find the licence number in the casino’s footer or terms
Click the regulator’s seal: a real one opens a page on the regulator’s own site
Look the casino up on the regulator’s site, by name or licence number
Check the website address on the licence matches the site you are on