Licence and Security Review Criteria

Our team evaluates each casino based on seven key criteria, resulting in a final rating that categorises the brand into one of three overall rating levels. Licence and Security is one of them. Scroll down to learn how we review casinos’ safety and what points brands can get from Gamblizard.

Our Overall Rating

Rating 4–5 It signifies that a casino is highly reliable, adheres well to industry standards, and offers robust player protection measures.

Rating 2–3 Casinos in this category are generally reliable and maintain good practices, but have room for improvement in certain areas.

Rating 1 These casinos rate lower and require careful examination, indicating potential risks in their practices or transparency.

We attribute the ratings above to Licence and Security measures adopted by the reviewed casino, having evaluated 4 pivotal factors. Each is defined by a range of percentages with a total weight of 100%. The weight of these factors is not tantamount, though – the consideration we put into each influences the overall impression, with the Licence Integrity being valued higher and Regulatory Failures being valued lower.

You may consult them and the bearing they have on the final rating in the chart below:

[Isometric chart]

The final rating is calculated by the sum of criteria significance in per cent (S) multiplied by the respective criterion rating for each category scored from 1 to 5 in whole numbers (CR). The arithmetic formula for the final assessment is, thus, as follows:

Σ (S × CR) = Final Rating

Ex: For the licencing and security of an X casino with the next entry data:

the final rating calculation will be this:

(50% × 3) + (25% × 2) + (15% × 5) + (10% × 3) = 1.5 + 0.5 + 0.75 + 0.3 = Rating 3.05

We invite you to consult our breakdown of all the compounding criteria for evaluating the casinos’ Licence and Security below.

Licence Integrity

This criterion weighs 50% in the overall Licence and Security rating.

You won’t find any grey or black casinos on Gamblizard – all the operators we review possess active licences issued by widely known industry regulatory bodies. Still, it is also fair to say that not all licences are created equal. Some are bound to be issued to a casino for it to operate in certain jurisdictions, others are quite optional. We consider this when ranking this criterion and assign the following rating for the following reasons.

4–5 points: Each country Gamblizard operates in has its regulating authority that sets and enforces rules to control the gambling business. Casinos should secure their national licences to get higher points from Gamblizard’s team for this factor. More points are given for more than one top-tier industry licence.

In the UK: The United Kingdom Gambling Commission.

In Canada: The Alcohol and Gambling Commission of Ontario and other Canadian licences.

In Germany: The Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder or other German licences.

In Italy: The Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli di Stato.

Internationally accepted: The Malta Gaming Authority, The Gibraltar Regulatory Authority, The Alderney Gambling Control Commission, The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission.

3–4 points: More points are given for more than one lenient licence.

Internationally accepted: The Curaçao Gaming Control Board, The Kahnawake Gaming Commission.

1–2 points: Only one point is given for one lesser-known licence.

Internationally accepted: The Anjouan (Comoros) Gaming Control, The Panama Gaming Control Board, The Financial Services Authority of Seychelles.

Responsible Gaming Features

This criterion weighs 25% in the overall Licence and Security rating.

5 points: For broad and accessible RGF including, but not limited to, all the following ones: deposit limits, cooling-off periods, self-exclusion tools, features preventing underage gambling, and links & seals of addiction help organisations. All RGF are visible and easily accessible from the main navigation menu, from the bottom of the homepage, or as a linked website developed by the casino brand;

4 points: For a decent amount of fair RGF, featuring some, but not all of these: deposit limits, cooling-off periods, self-exclusion tools, features preventing underage gambling, and links & seals of addiction help organisations. All RGF are easily accessible from the bottom of the homepage or from the FAQ section;

3 points: For a modest amount of RGF, featuring at least 3 of these: deposit limits, cooling-off periods, self-exclusion tools, features preventing underage gambling, and links & seals of addiction help organisations. RGF require some searching on the website;

2 points: For a basic amount of RGF, featuring 1 or 2 of these: deposit limits, cooling-off periods, self-exclusion tools, features preventing underage gambling, and links & seals of addiction help organisations. RGF require some searching on the website, mainly accessible under the T&Cs or the FAQ section;

1 point: The casino has some RGF, but they are mainly found only on third-party resources.

Security Measures & Transparency of their Display

This criterion weighs 15% in the overall Licence and Security rating.

5 points: For featuring all the following + additional security measures: SSL encryption, two-factor authentication, effective age verification processes, strict data privacy policies, and protection of minors. The information is easily found on the website and is displayed prominently and clearly;

4 points: For only 4 of the security measures mentioned above. The information is easily found on the website and is displayed prominently and clearly;

3 points: For only 3 of the security measures mentioned above. The information requires some searching on the website, however, is accessible in a couple of clicks. The information may present inconveniences for reading, such as being written in fine print;

2 points: For only some security measures mentioned above. The information requires some searching on the website; it is confusing or lacks details;

1 point: For only some security measures mentioned above. The information requires extensive searching on the website; it is confusing and lacks details.

Regulatory Failures

This criterion weighs 10% in the overall Licence and Security rating.

5 points: If the casino is not known to have ever been blacklisted and involved in any scandals or regulatory violations;

4 points: If the casino is not known to have ever been blacklisted and violated any regulatory norms but has raised concerns in this context in media and among users for any reasonable grounds;

3 points: If the casino has previously been blacklisted but subsequently removed and rectified, or if any regulatory norms violation has occurred in the past but was resolved transparently and professionally;

2 points: If the casino has previously been blacklisted but subsequently removed and rectified, and if any regulatory norms violation has occurred in the past but was resolved transparently and professionally;

1 point: If the casino is currently not blacklisted but involved in scandals or regulatory violations.