Crypto Casino Licenses Explained
With approximately 40 online casino licenses available world-wide, getting the hang of how these work – and whether they all cover cryptos and offer the same safeties and guarantees – can be confusing.
Not all online gambling licenses are created equally. Some place a high priority on player protection world-wide, others focus on specific regions. A few still take a shallow approach to license auditing, and are viewed as a fast and easy way for operators to operate legally in certain countries.
If you’re looking to have the best crypto casino licenses explained simply, but in detail, you’re in the right place.
Licensed vs unlicensed crypto casinos
Licensed crypto casinos offer a significantly higher level of protection to players compared to their unlicensed counterparts. This is because regulatory bodies such as the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) or the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) impose strict rules related to auditing, operations, and player protection.
How a crypto casino license can help players
Here’s how a crypto casino license can help protect your rights:
| License protection | How it works |
|---|---|
| Game fairness audits | Certified RNGs ensure games aren’t rigged |
| Anti-money laundering protocols | Blocks illegal financial activity |
| Complaint resolution channels | The regulator carries out a fair investigation |
| Segregated player funds | Keeps deposits safe if the casino goes bankrupt |
| Identity verification (KYC) | Prevents fraud, account theft, and underage gambling |
| Financial audits | Ensures casinos can cover all player winnings |
| Responsible gambling tools | Enforces limits, self-exclusion and other safety features |
| Transparency requirements | Operators must disclose licensing info and ownership |
The best crypto casino licenses cover everything from game fairness and responsible gambling to anti-money laundering measures. Some, like the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission, do so more rigorously than others.
These frameworks are designed to ensure that the casino operates transparently and that players are treated fairly. In fact, one of the key safeguards is the ability to lodge a complaint directly with the licensing body if a dispute arises, particularly around delayed or denied payouts. This external oversight acts as a check against rogue behaviour.
And if you’re wondering how you can be sure that your deposits are safe, licensed operators must keep player funds separate from operational accounts. This reduces the risk of losing your money if the casino goes under or engages in fraudulent activity.
Licensed casinos also enforce KYC (Know Your Customer) protocols, which means that every single player that withdraws money must verify their identity first. This protects against underage gambling and reduces the risk of someone taking over a player account by fraudulent means. This is why fully anonymous crypto casinos cannot be licensed.
Real cases where casino licenses made a difference
The above benefits can make a huge difference to players when things go wrong. In 2022, the UKGC **fined 888 Holdings £9.4 million** for serious failings in social responsibility and anti-money laundering. This high-profile penalty showed how licensed operators are held accountable, even at the top level.
Similarly, the MGA took action against BetElephant in 2021 after the operator failed to pay out player winnings. The casino’s license was suspended, and the regulator helped players recover their funds.
Some regulators are more efficient than others in this respect. The Curaçao regulator had long been criticised for weak oversight, but a reform to its licensing system in 2023 resolved this. The latter included rolling out an Alternative Dispute Resolution system which ****helped players who had issues with BC.Game payouts recover their funds.
In Sweden, the Spelinspektionen **fined Betsson, TSG, and Snabbare casinos** for anti-money laundering failures, including allowing large deposits without verifying the source of funds. And the Kahnawake Gaming Commission slapped a fine and player reimbusements order exceeding $22 million on Ultimate Bet, after its investigations discovered cheating on the poker tables.
Do unlicensed crypto casinos offer player safeguards?
When looking at unlicensed casinos, it’s important to be honest about the trade-offs. While they come with clear risks – like weaker player protection and no regulatory oversight – they also offer benefits that matter to many players, especially those who value full anonymity.
Unlicensed casinos support crypto payments, and give users more privacy. So even though they’re not regulated, it’s fair to recognize that the appeal of all the above is a real draw. For many, the choice between a licensed and an unlicensed site is about the delicate balancing act between safety and full anonymity.
There are plenty of trustworthy brands that guarantee game fairness and player protection even without a license, while offering the full benefits of a real crypto casino. Further down I’ll be going into some more detail about how to recognize these.
Crypto casino licenses
There are scores of online gambling licenses across the world, but not all of them extend to crypto casinos. The Alderney Gambling Control Commission, for example, does not offer crypto licenses. And neither do US State regulators like the New Jersey Casino Control Commission.
The below is a list of all the best crypto casino licenses across the world:
| Regulator | In operation since | Governed by | Recognized in | Crypto legislation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) | 2001 | Malta Gaming Act 2018 | Countries where crypto casinos are legal | Subject to the same conditions as fiat sites |
| United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) | 2005 | Gambling Act 2005 | Countries where crypto casinos are legal | Subject to more stringent AML & KYC conditions than fiat sites |
| Curacao Gambling Board | 1999 | Minister of Finance | Countries where crypto casinos are legal | Specifically accepts crypto casinos |
| Gaming Control Anjouan | 2005 | The Computer Gaming Licensing Act 2005 | Countries where crypto casinos are legal | Specifically accepts crypto casinos |
| Belgian Gaming Commission | 2011 | Gambling Act 1999 | Countries where crypto casinos are legal | Cryptos are not forbidden, but the players’ accounts must be in Euros |
| Bulgaria State Committee for Gambling | 2021 | Bulgarian Gambling Act 2021 | Only recognized in Bulgaria | Must comply with AML & KYC laws |
| Czech Republic Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic | 2017 | Act No. 186/2016 on Gambling | Only recognized in Czech Republic | Must comply with AML & KYC laws |
| Estonian Tax and Customs Board | 2010 | Gambling Act | Only recognized in Estonia | Must be based within the EU |
| Germany Gambling Commission | 2021 | Interstate Treaty on Gambling | Countries where crypto casinos are legal | Must comply with AML & KYC laws |
| Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission | 2001 | Online Gambling Regulation Act 2001 | Countries where crypto casinos are legal | Must comply with AML & KYC laws |
| Kahnawake Gaming Commission | 1999 | Mohawk Council of Kahnawake | Countries where crypto casinos are legal | The casino must also offer fiat options |
| Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) | 2016 | Presidential Decree No. 1869 | Countries where crypto casinos are legal | Subject to the same conditions as fiat sites |
| Spain Directorate‑General for the Regulation of Gambling | 2011 | Spanish Gambling Act | Countries where crypto casinos are legal | The players’ accounts must be converted to Euros |
How to recognize trustworthy unlicensed casinos
While crypto casinos may have been around for a while, it’s only in recent years that gambling regulators are starting to incorporate them within the structured gambling landscape. In reality, many crypto gambling sites operate without traditional licenses for practical reasons – such as being unable to comply with outdated financial regulations.
In cases like the UKGC, even though the framework supports cryptos, the license conditions would restrict specific games, bonuses and fast withdrawals. Some licenses come with strict geo-blocking rules, meaning casinos are legally barred from accepting players in specific countries. Thus, some crypto casino operators choose to remain unlicensed to maintain flexibility. It also allows them ****to offer full anonymity without any KYC requirements, which many crypto players prioritize.
Happily, the absence of a license doesn’t mean a site is rogue. But it does place more responsibility on the player to assess trustworthiness. A reputable unlicensed casino will often have a long-standing presence in the market, a visible community of players (such as active forums or reviews), and clear communication regarding its terms, bonuses, and complaint-handling process.
Look for signs of player-first behaviour:
- Fast and consistent payouts
- Transparent terms
- Third party audits or provably fair games
- A history of resolving issues publicly
Sites likes cryptocasinos.com, with independent crypto casino reviews, are useful tools. On the other hand, if a casino has a pattern of ignoring or mishandling complaints, that’s a red flag – this is true regardless of whether they have a license or not.
What makes our reviews trustworthy? We test all casinos thoroughly, and we don’t stop at the license. Our reviews are carried out by experts like myself, and we scrutinize every single element. This helps us ensure that we offer players the full picture, and that our reviews are reliable.
If a casino doesn’t satisfy our strict criteria, we will not recommend it. This applies regardless of whether it is licensed or not. So, for example, Betplay casino does not operate with a license. However, we found it to be reliable in terms of fast withdrawals, game fairness, and platform safety. So we still recommend it to players.
The same applies to Bitvest, which is unlicensed and fully-anonymous, but offers a high level of security and good withdrawal terms. Bitcoincasino.us, on the other hand, got our thumbs down. Not because it’s unlicensed, but because the overall offering just wasn’t up to scratch.
How to choose between licensed & unlicensed crypto casinos
So what’s the real deal? Should you always look for a licensed crypto casino, no matter what? Hopefully, after reading this guide you are in a better position to understand why this is not the case.
My advice is to look beyond the license. A license is not always the best guarantee of reliability – and an unlicensed casino sometimes offers even better terms and security than a licensed one. Analyze the full facts before deciding. Or take a shortcut and check our reviews – it’s faster, and you are guaranteed a fully objective report.