Start with the jurisdiction, not the logo
A gambling licence answers a narrow question: which authority permits this legal company to offer which products, through which domains, to which customers? Begin with the country where you live. Open that regulator’s own register and search for the brand and company. A Malta, Curaçao or other foreign licence may be genuine but still may not authorise offers in your country.
Match the exact domain and product
Fraudulent and unlicensed sites can copy a brand name or licence seal. Compare the complete domain in your address bar with the official entry, including the national ending. Then confirm that the permission covers what you plan to use. Sports betting, poker and casino products are often licensed separately.
Check status, ownership and dates
Read whether a licence is active, suspended or surrendered. Match the legal entity in the register to the company named in the site terms. Search the regulator’s enforcement notices or blacklist too. Save a dated copy of the register entry and terms before depositing because ownership and permissions can change.
What a licence does not prove
Authorisation is an essential threshold, not a guarantee of good odds, quick withdrawals or helpful support. Continue with payment terms, complaint procedures, account limits and independent evidence. If the operator cannot clearly identify its company and regulator, do not fund the account.
Practical checklist
- Use the official regulator or source, not a copied badge.
- Save the relevant terms and date before depositing.
- Check the exact domain, legal entity and country rules.
- Set money and time limits before you start.