Types of licenses: MGA, Curacao, UKGC, AU - what is the difference
Types of licenses: MGA, Curaçao, UKGC, AU - what is the difference
Shortly
UKGC (UK): the most stringent consumer control: "fair & open" conditions, prohibitions on dishonest practices, financial vulnerability checks, strict work with bonuses/conclusions. High protection and regular sanctions against violators.
MGA (Malta): strong EU regulator: mandatory ADR, protection and segregation of player funds, audit of responsible gaming functions and register of coercive measures. High transparency.
Curaçao (LOK/2024-2025): reform is underway: the end of sub-licenses, a single Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) appears, new B2C/B2B licenses and transitional Green Seal with an extension until December 24, 2025. The requirements for AML/responsible play are being tightened.
AU (Australia): online casino residents are prohibited by IGA 2001; ACMA blocks illegal sites and fines for advertising. Australia does not issue "online casino licenses" to play slots to residents; local licenses - about betting/bookmakers.
UKGC - what requires and protects
Honest conditions and conclusions: prohibition of hidden restrictions, unacceptable wording in T&C; protection against withdrawal obstacles.
Responsible play: mandatory customer interaction procedures (SR 3. 4. 3), financial vulnerability checks (SR 3. 4. 4), pilots of risk assessments; Restrictions on the structure of bonuses (updates are entered by stages).
Testing and standards: independent testing of software/RTS according to the UKGC strategy.
What it means to the player: strong defense on the conclusion and conditions, developed complaint procedure/ADR and demonstrative fines/sanctions to violators.
MGA - Balance Flexibility and Control
Player protection: segregation of funds and the right of the regulator to check the "total account" of funds; availability and mandatory ADR.
Regulatory framework: Player Protection Directive, audit of RG functions on sites, regular reports and publication of coercive measures.
Industry Transparency: Annual/Interim Licensing and Oversight Reports.
What it means to the player: high level of transparency and protection of funds; a quick way to check an operator's status and sanctions history.
Curaçao is the new reality after LOK
LOK effective 24. 12. 2024: CGA created, single direct licenses (B2C/B2B) instead of sub-licenses, transition from old LBH/NOOGH.
Transition period: "Green Seal" (temporary) licenses extended to 24. 12. 2025; further - transition to full-fledged permits according to new requirements.
Tightening trend: strengthening AML/responsible play, local presence of key individuals, direct supervision of CGA. (Summary of official and profile clarifications.)
What it means to the player: the meaning of "kurasao-license" is changing: new sites for CGA are more transparent than old sub-licenses; check the CGA registry/status, not the logos of past "master licenses."
AU - why there is no "Australian casino licence" for slots
IGA 2001 prohibits the provision of online casino services to people in Australia; ACMA blocks illegal sites, publishes quarterly investigation reports and expands block lists.
ACMA considers advertising illegal online gambling and promotion by influencers as a violation with significant sanctions.
What it means to the player: There is no "AU license for online casinos"; Australian licenses - about betting/lotteries. Any "AU-friendly casinos" - offshore and under the jurisdiction of other regulators; check compliance with laws and risks.
What and where to check (practice in 10 minutes)
1. UKGC: find brand in public register; verify domain, legal entity, types of permissions; study sections about "fair & open" and conclusions.
2. MGA - Check license number/status and view Enforcement Register if necessary.
3. Curaçao (CGA): confirm that the operator does not have an "old-style sub-license," but a LOK entry (or temporary "Green Seal" with an action before the specified date).
4. AU: if the service targets residents with an online casino product, this is prohibited; checking ACMA news/lock registers.
To whom which jurisdiction is suitable (from the point of view of protection)
Maximum consumer protection: UKGC (strict standards for conditions, conclusions, interaction and advertising).
High level of trust in the EU: MGA (ADR, funds protection, regular audits of RG functions).
Global offshore companies of a new model: Curaçao under CGA/LOK (see that the license is for the new model).
Australia: online resident slots not licensed; focus on ACMA law and warnings.
Red flags (past immediately)
Logos/seals without clickable registry entry (UKGC/MGA/CGA).
"Old" curacao-sub-license without LOK/CGA confirmation.
T&C with dishonest language preventing withdrawal and "rubber" bonuses.
A service offering online casinos to AU residents is an IGA violation (often on ACMA block lists).
Result
UKGC/MGA - consumer protection and verifiability standards.
Curaçao - Changing: Look for CGA/LOK licenses and confirmations on "Green Seal/Full License."
AU - online casinos for residents are illegal: no licenses for slots, ACMA actively blocks/fines.
Use public registries, read T&C on "fair & open," check the source of games (official platforms) and the history of sanctions - this minimizes risks before the first deposit.
Shortly
UKGC (UK): the most stringent consumer control: "fair & open" conditions, prohibitions on dishonest practices, financial vulnerability checks, strict work with bonuses/conclusions. High protection and regular sanctions against violators.
MGA (Malta): strong EU regulator: mandatory ADR, protection and segregation of player funds, audit of responsible gaming functions and register of coercive measures. High transparency.
Curaçao (LOK/2024-2025): reform is underway: the end of sub-licenses, a single Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) appears, new B2C/B2B licenses and transitional Green Seal with an extension until December 24, 2025. The requirements for AML/responsible play are being tightened.
AU (Australia): online casino residents are prohibited by IGA 2001; ACMA blocks illegal sites and fines for advertising. Australia does not issue "online casino licenses" to play slots to residents; local licenses - about betting/bookmakers.
UKGC - what requires and protects
Honest conditions and conclusions: prohibition of hidden restrictions, unacceptable wording in T&C; protection against withdrawal obstacles.
Responsible play: mandatory customer interaction procedures (SR 3. 4. 3), financial vulnerability checks (SR 3. 4. 4), pilots of risk assessments; Restrictions on the structure of bonuses (updates are entered by stages).
Testing and standards: independent testing of software/RTS according to the UKGC strategy.
What it means to the player: strong defense on the conclusion and conditions, developed complaint procedure/ADR and demonstrative fines/sanctions to violators.
MGA - Balance Flexibility and Control
Player protection: segregation of funds and the right of the regulator to check the "total account" of funds; availability and mandatory ADR.
Regulatory framework: Player Protection Directive, audit of RG functions on sites, regular reports and publication of coercive measures.
Industry Transparency: Annual/Interim Licensing and Oversight Reports.
What it means to the player: high level of transparency and protection of funds; a quick way to check an operator's status and sanctions history.
Curaçao is the new reality after LOK
LOK effective 24. 12. 2024: CGA created, single direct licenses (B2C/B2B) instead of sub-licenses, transition from old LBH/NOOGH.
Transition period: "Green Seal" (temporary) licenses extended to 24. 12. 2025; further - transition to full-fledged permits according to new requirements.
Tightening trend: strengthening AML/responsible play, local presence of key individuals, direct supervision of CGA. (Summary of official and profile clarifications.)
What it means to the player: the meaning of "kurasao-license" is changing: new sites for CGA are more transparent than old sub-licenses; check the CGA registry/status, not the logos of past "master licenses."
AU - why there is no "Australian casino licence" for slots
IGA 2001 prohibits the provision of online casino services to people in Australia; ACMA blocks illegal sites, publishes quarterly investigation reports and expands block lists.
ACMA considers advertising illegal online gambling and promotion by influencers as a violation with significant sanctions.
What it means to the player: There is no "AU license for online casinos"; Australian licenses - about betting/lotteries. Any "AU-friendly casinos" - offshore and under the jurisdiction of other regulators; check compliance with laws and risks.
What and where to check (practice in 10 minutes)
1. UKGC: find brand in public register; verify domain, legal entity, types of permissions; study sections about "fair & open" and conclusions.
2. MGA - Check license number/status and view Enforcement Register if necessary.
3. Curaçao (CGA): confirm that the operator does not have an "old-style sub-license," but a LOK entry (or temporary "Green Seal" with an action before the specified date).
4. AU: if the service targets residents with an online casino product, this is prohibited; checking ACMA news/lock registers.
To whom which jurisdiction is suitable (from the point of view of protection)
Maximum consumer protection: UKGC (strict standards for conditions, conclusions, interaction and advertising).
High level of trust in the EU: MGA (ADR, funds protection, regular audits of RG functions).
Global offshore companies of a new model: Curaçao under CGA/LOK (see that the license is for the new model).
Australia: online resident slots not licensed; focus on ACMA law and warnings.
Red flags (past immediately)
Logos/seals without clickable registry entry (UKGC/MGA/CGA).
"Old" curacao-sub-license without LOK/CGA confirmation.
T&C with dishonest language preventing withdrawal and "rubber" bonuses.
A service offering online casinos to AU residents is an IGA violation (often on ACMA block lists).
Result
UKGC/MGA - consumer protection and verifiability standards.
Curaçao - Changing: Look for CGA/LOK licenses and confirmations on "Green Seal/Full License."
AU - online casinos for residents are illegal: no licenses for slots, ACMA actively blocks/fines.
Use public registries, read T&C on "fair & open," check the source of games (official platforms) and the history of sanctions - this minimizes risks before the first deposit.
