Main Licences of Football Bookies in the UK and Abroad

The betting industry has been experiencing an unprecedented rise – the rapid digitalization couldn’t but affect the entire sector. Currently, users can predict the outcomes of anticipated matches wherever they are and enjoy the best odds on their smartphones or PCs without any limits. However, the legislation issue has been discussed in the industry for decades as governments aim to make it more controlled. Multiple online bookmakers operate fraudulently, providing insecure conditions to their members and never paying out winnings. Punters should avoid such sportsbooks, but how to identify them in a broad range of gambling platforms?

Luckily, special regulatory authorities operate globally and impose special requirements on their licensees. The availability of an appropriate certification demonstrates to bettors that the operator is trusted and reputable, so have a look at what to look for when selecting an online sportsbook.

What Does Licensing Give?

Not everyone understands why online betting sites need to be confirmed by responsible regulatory bodies, simply selecting a random operator with maximum benefits. This approach can lead to significant money and data losses, as scam platforms are still everywhere. Football bookie’s licensing shows that the company complies with the jurisdiction’s legislation and provides fair and transparent services to its customers. Moreover, operators are forced to pass independent tests to prove their trustworthiness regularly.

Numerous licensing bodies are available globally, so online sportsbooks can choose suitable options depending on their activities and target markets. Many prefer the UK Gambling Commission, which is based in the United Kingdom, as it’s among the most prestigious bodies globally. However, it is known for its strict requirements and multiple restrictions, so many football betting sites take advantage of offshore regulatory bodies. Explore the most famous license issues and consider their pros and cons below.

UK Gambling Commission

The UKGC certification is a perfect solution for most gambling businesses, as it guarantees brand trustworthiness and increased customer engagement. Bettors know this body as one of the most reliable authorities, ensuring compliance with the law. Therefore, obtaining it enhances the bookmaker’s recognition in the market and boosts its rating. However, licensees must comply with numerous requirements, including providing secure services, implementing particular limitations for gamblers, mandatory implementing GamStop self-exclusion, and regularly passing audits from independent testing agencies.

Curacao eGaming

This offshore regulatory body is most common among online sportsbooks, as it combines excellent reputation and simplicity of obtaining it. Curacao is a reliable jurisdiction, allowing betting sites with Curacao eGaming licence to provide a broad range of gambling and betting services worldwide. The licensing authority has barely any restrictions, so companies under its control can target multiple markets without limitations. At the same time, punters joining bookmaker sites can be confident they receive legal services in a secure environment.

Like UKGC, Curacao eGaming has multiple requirements for those desiring to get its certification, but it is less strict than the British regulator. It’s worth noting that this licensing is the cheapest – therefore, the most popular globally. This fact doesn’t make the regulator any worse: the body has just chosen accessibility and quality, which helped it gain fantastic popularity in the iGaming sector.

Malta Gaming Authority

It’s impossible to ignore this regulator when discussing football betting licensing, as MGA is a true indicator of quality and reliability. The offshore body is based in Malta and operates globally, so gambling companies across the world can obtain it quickly. It goes hand in hand with Curacao in terms of its popularity, but still has some significant differences.

Malta Gaming Authority is more stable regarding requirements for bookmakers, but the application process takes longer. At the same time, price and annual fees are slightly higher than those in Curacao. On the other hand, Malta's betting authority is more widely accepted in Europe, and it’s considered one of the most trustworthy regulators on the continent.

Kahnawake Gaming Commission

This body is less popular than those mentioned below, but hundreds of online bookmakers still acquire its licensing. The secret behind the demand is that Kahnawake has zero taxes, which is a real heaven for betting operators. Expanding iGaming companies consider it a perfect opportunity to grow their benefits without increased expenses – they only need to pay fixed prices and enjoy legal operations in multiple regions. The well-established jurisdiction allows bookies to receive the necessary certification relatively fast and provide trustworthy customer service.

The Final Word

Operating without licensing in 2024 can lead to significant problems in bookmakers’ activities, which is why reliable companies try to receive appropriate certification as soon as possible. UKGC traditionally remains the leader in demand and prestige, but other regulators also don’t lack clients. Curacao is the most widespread among football betting operators due to its accessibility and considerably low cost. Kahnawake and MGA also boast exceptional reputations and provide broad coverage globally. More about this you can read in our blog dedicated to UK football, betting, and other related topics. Stay tuned!