IndiaA Comprehensive Guide to Licensing for Indian Online Casinos
In a world that lives online, it’s no surprise that gambling has taken off as it has. However, with that comes the possibility of scam casinos, which makes licensing a critical aspect. This guide explains everything you need to know about the licensing of Indian online casinos.
What Are the Most Relevant Licensing Authorities to Indian Online Casinos?
Foreign gambling authorities license all online casinos operating within India. The reputable organisations include the following:
- Malta Gaming Authority
- UK Gambling Commission
- Government of Curacao
The Indian government is putting measures in place to create self-regulatory bodies to oversee online gambling in various parts of the country. It’s important to remember that online casinos are vastly different from the land-based ones available in some states across India. We go into detail about what an online casino is so that you can understand the difference.
What You Must Know About Online Casino Licensing
A casino licence allows the operator to legally provide its games and services to the public. These companies must apply for their licences and demonstrate that they meet specific requirements. For example, governing bodies will only provide a licence to a site that can do the following:
- Offer legitimate games from reputable providers.
- Use safe and convenient payment methods.
- Engage in active anti-money laundering tools.
- Adopt a solid approach to responsible gambling.
- Provide players with realistic bonuses and promotions.
These are conditions for a gambling licence that every Indian online casino must have before you create an account. Being regulated means these casinos have strict guidelines to operate by and can’t step out of line by mistreating or defrauding players.
Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)
It’s one of the best available international gambling licences and has hundreds of online casinos operating under its licence. Casinos with this licence can offer online gambling to unregulated countries like India. The MGA has strict rules for its casinos, ensuring players can enjoy a safe experience where they see the MGA licence. We’ve listed the MGA-licensed casinos that are safe for Indian players.
Government of Curaçao
This gambling authority is the second-most recognisable in the world. Obtaining this licence is far cheaper than from the MGA, making it attractive for new operators. The Curacao licence is one of the oldest in the world, meaning you can regard all its casinos as trustworthy.
UK Gambling Commission (UKGC)
The commission regulates online gambling within the UK with strict policies on responsible gambling and honest advertising. Usually, some sites with a UKGC licence will also have one of the other two licences when offering their services in India.
What Is the Impact of Licensing on Casino Operations
For casinos to accept real money deposits from players in India and other unregulated countries around the world, the site must obtain an international gambling licence. Regulatory bodies such as the MGA and the Government of Curacao accept applications from operators together with proof that they will abide by their licence conditions.
Casino operators must include eCOGRA reports to demonstrate that they offer proven, fair casino games. Additionally, during its application, the casino must have proper security measures to prevent data fraud and offer players various responsible gambling tools if casino games become addictive.
Customer support is a critical factor at online casinos, and to obtain a licence, the site must offer different avenues for players to pursue when they need assistance. Furthermore, licensing bodies like the MGA will step in to resolve issues between a player and a casino when the parties cannot reach an agreement.
Why Licensing Matters for Indian Players?
Gambling in India has been around for centuries, and there aren’t any signs of it slowing down. Online casinos have made it easier for players to access their favourite casino games, primarily through their offshore licences.
Since India doesn’t regulate online gambling yet, there is a gap for cybercriminals to create fake casinos that target gamblers’ data or money. However, when a casino has a stamp of approval from the relevant licensing authority, it reassures you that the platform is trustworthy and legitimate.
Ultimately, these regulatory bodies confirm that the casinos they have issued licences will always offer fair games, enough responsible gambling tools, realistic bonuses, and protection for every player who creates an account. Indian players need to rely on this assurance to avoid becoming a victim of cybercriminals. Rookie players can view our 5 tips to select a legal casino in India, which will help steer away from scam sites.
Should You Verify the Licence of an Indian Online Casino?
You should always check if a proper organisation licences the casino you’re about to register on. Follow these steps to confirm the casino’s legitimacy.
- Check for the authority’s stamp of approval on the site.
- Identify the casino’s licence number.
- Visit the regulator’s site to see if the casino is in its stable.
- Evaluate the payment methods and the availability of transactions with the Indian Rupee.
- Look for realistic bonuses and promotions that come with wagering requirements.
- Find the names of reputable software providers on the site that supply the casino with its games.
FAQs About Licensing in Indian Online Casinos
It is certification from a reputable authority to indicate that the casino is legally allowed to offer its casino games and other services.
No, if you encounter an online casino operating without a licence from one of the authorities we’ve mentioned, stay away.
While there aren’t any direct consequences for the operators, players can fall prey to these sites and lose their information or money.
Casinos must prove that their games are fair and have beneficial, responsible gambling policies with convenient local payment methods for Indian players.
Yes, if a casino breaches its licensing conditions, such as failing to offer fair games or localised payment methods, it can lose its permission to provide casino games in a particular jurisdiction.
Are You Playing in a Licensed Indian Online Casino?
Every casino in India must have permission to operate within the country. Reputable authorities issue licences to demonstrate their approval for the casino to offer its games and services. Only if the operator meets the high demands of the licence requirements will it receive the official documentation. Some factors include offering realistic bonuses, provably fair games, and localised payment methods.
Always check the site thoroughly for its stamp of approval and licence number. Typically, casinos display that information on the footer of the homepage or in its terms and conditions. The Indian government is currently considering the creation of self-regulatory bodies to oversee online gambling, which will simplify the industry for Indian players in the future.