A practical checklist for checking an online casino before you deposit, with links to our licence tools and the latest regulator news.
Look in the footer for a licence number and the name of the company that holds it. A badge image alone proves nothing.
Search the issuing regulator’s public register, not a page the casino links to. Confirm the company name, the status and that the site address is listed. Step-by-step guide and licence lookup.
A licence from one country does not make a site legal in another. Many regulators fine sites that serve their residents without a local licence: see the Fines Tracker.
Look for wagering requirements, maximum bets, withdrawal limits and what happens to winnings. A UK case in October 2026 involved delaying withdrawals: read it.
Licensed operators usually ask for ID. A site that promises no checks at all may be outside regulation. No-KYC explained.
A trustworthy operator names its regulator and an independent dispute service. If none is named, your options after a problem are limited.
Deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion should be easy to find. Compare schemes.
Deposit a small sum and try a withdrawal before depositing more. Never use money you cannot afford to lose.
📌 New tool coming: the International Association of Gaming Regulators plans to launch the free CheckBeforeYouPlay.org licence lookup on 9 November 2026, as part of its first Illegal Gambling Awareness Week (9–13 Nov). We will test it and add it here once it is live. Our article
See also our glossary for terms like KYC, AML and ADR, and the Regulation Tracker for the legal status by country.
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18+ only. Unsubscribe any time. See our privacy policy.No. A licence means the company is regulated in one jurisdiction, with that regulator’s standards. It does not guarantee a good experience or cover every country.
Use them with care. Many review sites earn commissions. Our editorial policy explains how we handle that, but the regulator’s register remains the primary check.
Keep records, use the operator’s complaints process, then the regulator or the dispute service it names. If no route exists, you may have little recourse.
18+ only. Gambling laws differ by country and change quickly — check the rules where you live. If gambling stops being fun, BeGambleAware and GamCare offer free support.