Every casino says it is licensed. That word covers a huge range, from Ontario, where a government agency can fine an operator and order it to fix a problem, to offshore licences where a player with a complaint may have nowhere useful to go. The licence behind a casino tells you who, if anyone, can help you when something goes wrong. That makes it one of the most important things to check before you deposit.
This page compares the licences you will meet at Canadian casinos and shows how to verify one yourself in a couple of minutes.
Quick answer: Ontario and Alberta licences offer the strongest protection, because provincial regulators oversee operators directly. Malta is a strong international licence. Kahnawake is a long-established Canadian regulator with a published complaints record. Curacao has been reforming since late 2024, so check the new register. Anjouan offers the least independent evidence of protection. Always verify the licence on the regulator’s own site, not just the logo in the casino’s footer.
Casino Licences Compared
| Licence | Regulator | Who it covers | If you have a complaint | Our view of protection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | AGCO, with iGaming Ontario | Ontario players | Operator first, then iGaming Ontario | Strongest |
| Alberta | AGLC, with the Alberta iGaming Corporation | Alberta players | Operator first, then provincial bodies | Strong, but new |
| Malta | Malta Gaming Authority | International | The casino’s dispute resolution provider | Strong |
| Kahnawake | Kahnawake Gaming Commission | International, based in Quebec | Written complaint to the Commission | Solid, with published complaint data |
| Curacao | Curacao Gaming Authority | International | Through the Authority; varies | Improving, still uneven |
| Anjouan | Anjouan gaming regulator | International | Unclear in practice | Weakest evidence |
The last column is our editorial judgement, based on how each regulator handles players, what it publishes and what we have found while reviewing casinos.
What a Licence Actually Does for You
- Someone to complain to. A good regulator gives you a route beyond the casino’s support team.
- Tested games. Serious regulators require independent testing of games and RNGs.
- Player funds and identity checks. Rules on how money is handled and how accounts are verified vary a lot.
- Safer gambling tools. Deposit limits, cool-offs and self-exclusion range from mandatory to minimal.
- Consequences. The best regulators can fine an operator or remove its licence.
A licence does not guarantee fast payouts or fair bonus terms. Those are what our casino review methodology looks at separately.
How to Check a Casino’s Licence
- Find the licence details. Scroll to the casino’s footer for the regulator, the operator’s company name and a licence number.
- Go to the regulator’s own website, not a link supplied by the casino.
- Search the register for the company name, licence number or domain.
- Match the details. The company name on the register should match the casino’s terms and conditions.
- Check the date and status. Licences can be suspended or revoked.
Red flags include a logo that does not click through to anything, a licence number you cannot find, or a company name that changes between the footer and the terms. We have found real examples in our reviews: an old Curacao number that no longer means much, and a named company whose licence was revoked. Our explainer on whether online casinos are rigged covers more warning signs.
Is It Legal to Play at an Offshore Licensed Casino?
In Ontario and Alberta, regulated sites are the legal route for operators, and the provinces are moving against unregulated sites. In other provinces, players commonly use offshore-licensed casinos, and we know of no case of a Canadian player being prosecuted for doing so. But you do not get provincial protection at those sites. Our explainer on provincially run and offshore casinos sets out the trade-offs.
If Something Goes Wrong
Complain to the casino in writing first and keep records. If that fails, the next step depends on the licence. Our step-by-step explainer on resolving disputes with online casinos covers each route. Keep your complaint factual, include dates, amounts and screenshots, and do not reverse payments until you have tried the proper process.
Licences at the Casinos We Review
Many brands hold more than one licence, so the one that protects you depends on where you live. 888 Casino and LeoVegas, for example, are regulated in Ontario but use a Malta licence elsewhere. Spin Casino has an Ontario site and a Kahnawake-licensed site for the rest of Canada. Check which site you are actually on. Our list of real money casinos in Canada and our Ontario casino list show which licence applies to each brand we recommend.
Protect Yourself as Well
A licence is one layer of protection. Set your own limits as well, and use self-exclusion if you need it. Our page on responsible gambling in Canada lists help in every province.
Written by Liam Lambert, OCCG casino reviewer. Our protection ratings are editorial opinions. Regulators’ rules change, so check their sites. If something has changed, let us know.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the safest online casino licence for Canadians?
A provincial one, from Ontario or Alberta, if you live there. Internationally, we rate the Malta licence highly.
How do I know if an online casino is licensed?
Find the regulator and licence number in the footer, then confirm them on the regulator’s own website.
Is a Curacao licence good?
It is improving. Curacao replaced its old system in late 2024, so look for a current licence on the Curacao Gaming Authority’s register.
Is a Kahnawake licence legitimate?
Yes. The Kahnawake Gaming Commission has licensed online gambling since the 1990s and publishes yearly complaint statistics.
What if a casino has no licence?
Do not play there. You would have no regulator to turn to.
Can a casino hold more than one licence?
Yes. Many hold different licences for different markets, so check which one applies to the site you are using.
Do licences guarantee I will get paid?
No, but a good regulator gives you a way to complain and can act against an operator that refuses to pay.
Is it illegal to play at offshore casinos in Canada?
We know of no case of a Canadian player being prosecuted. Ontario and Alberta do steer players to their regulated sites, and offshore sites do not give you provincial protection.
