Here, we take a closer look at unregulated and unlicensed casino sites and provide you with the information you need to enjoy a secure experience.
What is a casino license?
Online casinos have the ability to be licensed and regulated under a jurisdiction. A casino license allows sites to legally operate in certain areas and also adds layers of player protection. At sites that have obtained a license, they have shown they meet strict industry guidelines and offer fair and honest games. Licensed sites also guarantee payouts when players request a withdrawal, so you can be sure you will always have access to your funds.
While obtaining a casino license is the best way to attract new and loyal players, some sites avoid the process. There are very high standards that sites have to maintain to obtain and retain their license. These high standards can cause smaller casinos to avoid the licensing process.
To get a license also comes with a high cost and there are annual fees that must be paid once the casino has a license. Due to this, some smaller operators choose avoid the license. They save money upfront and still offer a safe and secure environment for players. Not every unregulated casino is a bad choice. Some are just too small and have not generated enough revenue to afford to go through the licensing process.
Different type of casino licenses
Casino sites can acquire various licenses. We urge you to watch for casinos that hold a license from respected and reliable jurisdictions. This will ensure that the site maintains standards and adheres to gambling laws. Here, we take a look at some of the different licenses you will find out there.
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1. MGA license – A gambling license from Malta indicates a safe and secure casino site. All licensed sites have to adhere to many conditions and have to maintain financial records, test games, offer data protection, and present responsible gaming procedures. This is one of the largest licensing jurisdictions in the world.
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Curacao – Curacao is a hub for many gambling sites and licenses are issued by the eGaming Licensing Authority.
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The requirements of licensing are manageable, which is why many smaller start-up casinos seek to obtain a Curacao license. All sites licensed by Curacao meet industry standards and offer player protection.
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3. Gibraltar and Isle of Man – Gibraltar and Isle of Man are two separate licensing jurisdictions that both offer some of the best casinos in the industry. Sites that have licenses from either jurisdiction offer fair and tested games, honest and safe site operations, player protection, and always adhere to local gambling laws.
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Kahnawake – This is the licensing jurisdiction for most Canadian casinos and online sites that offer real money play.
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This was one of the first regions in the world to recognize the potential of online gambling when sites first started operating back in the 1990s.
Easy steps: Getting started on a no license casino
Are there any differences between licensed and no licensed casinos?
There are definitely differences between playing at a licensed site and one that has not gone through the licensing procedure. Playing at an online casino that does not hold a current license can pose a risk for real money players. These sites are not required to meet standards, so they may lack in the offering of player security and may also not honor payouts as advertised.
There are many risks that you will take when you play at a site that does not hold a license. Before choosing any site, learn everything you can about the casino as well as any regulations that are in place. Refer to our list of pros and cons to determine whether playing at an unlicensed casino is a wise option.
Pros
- Offer offers a fast and simple registration process
- Can present high paying bonus offers to attract members
- Mobile compatibility is offered
- Unique game selections
Cons
- No player protection
- Bonuses have unattainable wagering requirements
- Major software developers are not used
- Sites do not meet industry standards
- Games are not tested for fairness
Great bonus offers you can get at unlicensed casinos
When you are comparing sites, you will find that many unlicensed casino sites will offer bonuses that have a higher value than a licensed site. This is because these casinos are trying to attract players who normally play at regulated sites. By offering bigger bonuses, more players are attracted and there is a better chance of getting new members to create an account. Here are some of the bonus offers you can expect at a no license casino.
Welcome bonus
These sites will offer standard welcome bonuses where you can get a match offer when making the first deposit. You will find most offers to be a 100% match but they offer larger amounts, some worth thousands in bonus funds.
Free spins
Free spins are great for those that love the action of slots and with these deals, you are credited with several spins in the account. These can be no deposit or deposit bonuses. You can use the free spins to wager on real money slots and collect payouts. For example, you can use a free spin bonus for 50 spins to begin spinning on any supported slot. These bonuses do have a maximum bet amount as well as a cashout limit in place.
No deposit bonus
No deposit bonuses are a great place to start as they are risk-free. All you have to do is signup at the site and create a new member account. The casino will then credit the account with free cash or free spins with no deposit required. You can use these to play real money games and can even withdraw winnings once wagering requirements have been met.
Loyalty bonus
The best no license casinos will also have a loyalty program where you will earn points as you place wagers. You can redeem these points for exclusive bonuses and other casino perks. Most programs will have different tiers and you will earn more rewards as you advance.
High Roller bonus
High roller bonuses are reserved for those players who are making large casino deposits. Players will have to deposit a minimum amount and will be granted wit a special match bonus or a reload offer. These are perfect for those that gamble often and place high stakes on games.
Are winnings tax free on unlicensed casinos?
Each country will have laws in regards to the taxes you have to pay on gambling winnings. In this regard there are some great casino without license and with no tax requirement at all. These sites will not report winnings and you are able to keep all profits. In the EU/EEA for example, there is no tax requirement on any amount that is won by an individual. This is largely due to the fact that the taxes from online operators are so high that he countries see no need to tax players on winnings.
Other countries without online gambling taxes for the player include:
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- Canada
- Australia
- UK
- Sweden
- Denmark
- Germany
However, there are some countries that will require taxes from players who engage in online gambling. These countries include:
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- Italy
- The United States
- France
Blocking casinos with IP and Payment blockers
Some countries have very strict rules in regards to being able to access online casinos. You may experience a block of your IP address if you try to access an unlicensed casino in an area with online gambling regulation, such as Canada, the US, and the UK. If you experience this, you will not be able to access any area of that online casino and will not have access to games or any casino services.
This is often done to prevent players from accessing unregulated sites and to provide protection. Even in countries where gambling online is legal, some Ips may be blocked. In the UK, online casinos operating in the country must be licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. If the a site doesn’t have the license, the UK government will block it.
You may also find that countries will block payment methods. If you live in an area where online gambling is not legal, you will not be able to use major credit or debit cards or make a bank transfer. These methods will have a block to prevent illegal gambling activities.
What payment providers can you use on unlicensed casinos?
Online casinos that are operating without a license will still support some of the most trusted banking methods. You will find you always have ays to manage an account and easily make a deposit. Some of the more popular methods that are being used at an unlicensed casino include Skrill, Neteller, Visa, MasterCard, Paysafecard, and even bank transfers. The actual methods will vary per site and you will find a complete list available when you access the casino cashier.
Is it possible to use Visa/Mastercard on no license casinos?
Some online casinos that are operating with no license are able to accept MasterCard and Visa as forms of payment. However, do not expect these payment methods to be available at all sites. Some countries track down sites operating without a license and ban transactions conducted using Visa and MasterCard. These two credit card companies are dedicated to offering secure processing and this cannot be guaranteed when playing at a site that does not have a current gambling license from a trusted jurisdiction.
Try your luck!
Now that you know the details about unlicensed casino sites, you can make educated decisions. You will find trustworthy options with our MyBetInfo.com list and some no license casino sites are provided. We have made sure that any unregulated casino will still offer superior protection and access to fair and trusted games. If you are considering playing at a casino without license, be sure to do your research. We offer great reviews of such sites and you can find everything you need to know to enjoy a safe and rewarding experience. Ready to get start? Just choose one of our great sites and you will be on your way to an exciting online gambling session.
Frequently asked questions about casinos without license
The casino will display all licensing information clearly. This is often listed at the bottom of every page at the casino site. You will find the name of the licensing jurisdiction as well as the license number.
You can play at unlicensed casinos in Canada, though we recommend you choose sites that are licensed and regulated so that you have more player protection and are sure you are engaging in fair and tested games.
It is not illegal for Canadian gamblers to access online casinos, licensed or unlicensed. Unlicensed sites will often be operating offshore but these are still legal for players from Canada.
In some cases, yes. Sites that do not operate with a current and valid license may pose a serious threat. They may be a scam to receive player payments and those funds will never be returned to the player.
In Canada, there are no taxes that are collected for payouts earned from an online casino. If you are accessing online casinos from other countries, there may be tax laws in place. Refer to your local gambling laws before you engage in any real money play.
