Understanding Casino Licences: What Irish Players Need to Know

Why Casino Licensing Matters for Irish Players

In short, licensing matters because without it, a casino can do whatever it likes. An active casino licence means that a casino is legitimate and safe for you to play at, as it is regulated by a licensing authority. In real terms, this means that it is accountable for payouts, game fairness and dispute resolution.

Types of Casino Licences Explained

There are a few different types of casino licences out there and it’s best for you to know what each does and what powers each one holds. Here’s a clear breakdown of the different casino licence types and how they differ.

Remote Gaming Licence

A remote gaming licence allows a casino to provide games through an online platform or any other form of remote communication.

Sports Betting Licence

A casino will need a sports betting licence if it is looking to provide sports betting on the site (also known as a sportsbook). 

Live Casino Streaming Licence

If a casino is looking to provide live games of any kind, it will need to have one of these to do so. Things such as online poker and online blackjack all fit into this category.

B2C Licence

B2C stands for business-to-customer. This type of licence is for any operator that is looking to supply a service to the general public. It goes without saying, therefore, that the vast majority of casinos need to have one of these to operate.

B2B Licence 

In contrast to B2C licences, a B2B licence stands for business-to-business. This type of licence is required by software providers and other gambling businesses that supply products or services to operators rather than directly to players. 

Top Licences for Irish Casino Operators

There are different types of casino licences for different regions. All of these establish whether a casino is safe to play at, but they have different specific terms and conditions. Let’s take a look at some of the ones you’ll see most frequently.

United Kingdom (UKGC) Gambling Licence

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is a part of the British government that, despite its name, regulates all forms of gambling in Great Britain (Northern Ireland is not covered). These licences allow casinos to operate in or from Great Britain while enforcing strict standards for RNG integrity, fair jackpots, and player activity monitoring.

Malta (MGA) Gaming Licence

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) regulates gambling in Malta. These licences provide reassurance regarding player security, RNG-based gameplay, and access to responsible gambling resources. 

Isle of Man (GSC) Gambling Licence

The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC) is the gambling authority for, you guessed it, the Isle of Man. It looks to ensure that gambling is fair, that it protects vulnerable people from being harmed and that it doesn’t become a source of crime.

Curaçao Gaming Licence (CGA)

The Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) is the gambling regulator for Curaçao. A licence from these guys will come alongside strict anti-money laundering (AML) protocols, the need for responsible gambling features and means that the casino is held accountable for safeguarding players. They store all licensees' information in a PDF document, so you need to access it first and then search by licensee name (the company that owns the casino), rather than by the casino's name itself.

Alderney Gambling Licence (AGCC)

The Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC) is the gambling authority for gambling companies registered in Alderney and Guernsey. These licences are designed to protect players and enforce anti-money laundering (AML) protocols.

Gibraltar Gambling Licence (GGC)

The Government of Gibraltar regulates all forms of gambling in their region. Licences from these reinforce AML protocols and prohibit criminal activity within the gambling sphere. 

Kahnawake Gaming Licence

Gambling in the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake is regulated by the lovely folks over at the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. A casino with a Kahnawake licence will act responsibly and fairly and have plenty of player safeguarding practices in place.

Gaming Control Anjouan

All forms of gambling in Anjouan are overseen by the Anjouan Licensing Services Inc. If a casino has an active Anjouan licence, then you can rest assured that it is safe to play at and takes safeguarding practices seriously. To verify if a casino possesses this license, you can visit the Anjouan Gaming's licence register page and search by the brand name.

How to Check if a Casino Is Properly Licensed

Since an active casino licence establishes a casino as safe and legitimate, it’s super important you know how to check if a licence is valid. Follow the steps below to find out how: 

1. Find the licence information – This is usually listed in the footer (bottom of the page) or in the terms and conditions.

2. Check the licence register – Visit the website of the licence provider (e.g., for UKGC: https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/). You can usually search by the casino name.

3. Use the licence number (if provided) – Some casinos list their licence number on the site. Entering this directly can be quicker and simpler to verify the casino’s active status.

4. Confirm active status – If the casino or its parent company appears in the register, it has a valid licence and you’re good to go.

Some red flags to watch out for at unlicensed casinos are:

• Lack of proof of a RNG (Random Number Generator) or no provably fair games (no assurance that tests have been carried out to ensure game outcomes are random and fair).

• Untrustworthy payment methods (e.g., casinos that only accept cryptocurrencies without any regulated banking options, or sites that use obscure e-wallets with no consumer protection).

• No good customer support options (e.g., no live chat, delayed email responses, or no multilingual support)

FAQs

If you’re after more information on casino licences, check out the frequently asked questions below.

Does Ireland Have a Gambling Licence Provider?

Whilst established, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) isn’t fully up and running. They plan to be set up by 2027. 

How Much Does a Casino Licence Cost?

The exact amount a casino licence costs depends on both the type of licence and the licence providers offering it. But remember, part of what makes a casino secure is that obtaining a licence is costly, making it difficult for wannabe operators. Anjouan is known as one of the cheapest licences, but its licensing fee still sits at around €17,000. This is a substantial amount of money for a casino to dole out.

What to Do if You Find an Unlicensed Casino?

If you come across a casino that claims to have a specific licence but does not appear on the licence provider’s register, then get in touch with that organisation and let them know. The licence provider will handle the case. If a casino doesn’t claim to have a licence but says it operates under a gambling authority, report that as well.

Resources

• https://altenar.com/blog/gaming-licences-which-one-should-you-get-in-2024/

• https://legarithm.io/license/gambling/ireland/

• https://premiercasinos.ie/2025/06/20/how-to-tell-if-an-online-casino-is-safe-and-licensed-in-ireland/

• https://www.fortismedia.com/en/articles/igaming-licenses/