A licence logo in a footer is a starting point, not proof. Before depositing, check the operator against the official register for your country. This walkthrough uses Great Britain as an example; it does not mean a British licence covers players everywhere.
1. Find the right regulator
Start with the rules where you live. Some places license online casinos; others restrict or prohibit them. For Great Britain, use the Gambling Commission public register. Type the regulator’s address yourself rather than trusting a badge that takes you to a lookalike page.
2. Match the actual business
Find the legal company name in the casino’s terms or footer. Search the register by company, trading name or domain. Check that the licence status is active, that the website domain matches, and that the permitted activities cover the product you are looking at. A similar brand name is not enough.
The UK regulator’s own checklist recommends comparing the licence details, trading names and domains with its register. Elsewhere, use the relevant local regulator’s register and rules.
3. Read what the licence does—and does not—tell you
A verified licence tells you which business is licensed for particular activities in that jurisdiction. It does not guarantee that a game will be profitable, that a withdrawal will be instant, or that the operator can legally serve you from another country. Read the payment and complaint terms separately.
Red flags worth stopping for
- No legal company name, licence number or usable contact details.
- A badge that links only to the casino’s own page, or to a different domain.
- The official register shows an expired or different business.
- The site pressures you to deposit before you can read its rules.
If the details do not line up, do not deposit. Return to our before-you-deposit checklist for the rest of the checks. Adults only, where legal; this is general information, not legal advice.