Regulatory Catch Up: The latest developments in iGaming Licensing

Find out about the latest online gambling rules and regulations happening right now in the latest Casinoplusbonus ‘Regulatory Catch Up’. Thanks to these regulatory authorities, you can breathe relief knowing you are in good hands playing at safe online casinos! (Image by InspiredImages from Pixabay)

On Casinoplusbonus, the main geos covered are the UK, Ireland, South Africa, Canada, India, Australia, and New Zealand. During the website’s many years offering iGaming content, and from my extensive experience as an established online casino player, I have seen many changes in how casino licensing operates.

It all began with the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), which covered everything mentioned above. Just before this, there was eCOGRA. Websites affiliated with either organisation were the safest online gambling options. Back then, I was purely an online poker player.

Casinos and poker sites operated under various licensing authorities in places like Costa Rica and other countries with lax rules. However, I had a few horror stories and problems withdrawing money and learned fast from when I was a newbie iGaming. Thankfully, today, regulations are in place. to protect players, something I, like many others back at that time, did not have the luxury of when iGaming first hit the World Wide Web.

The most significant change came when the MGA (Malta Gaming Authority) stepped up its game. It was the best licensing authority online before domestic regulatory authorities became a thing. We had sites like William Hill, a well-known high-street bookie in the UK, operating under the MGA and eCOGRA approved. PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker were great, too. So, what happened? Why did countries like the UK and Australia begin to bring in domestic licensing?

My main suspicion is tax. All these casinos operating out of Costa Rica (before clouds, by the way) and other suspect locations were raking in money from the UK and other countries without giving a penny back in tax. The beauty of overseas businesses online and something new to governments as the internet was in its early days.

Was player safety a concern? The tax was undoubtedly a key reason, and another aim was stopping money flow to overseas companies. However, more control over problem gambling and consumer rights when it comes to legal disputes are also good reasons for domestic licensing.

First, There Was the UKGC

The UK Gambling Commission was one of the first domestic authorities to introduce a licensing framework purely for citizens of its country. Once it came into force, only companies registered with the UKGC could advertise, offer online gambling, and accept payments from UK citizens. All the while, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) still covered the rest of the world.

UKGC Success: The success of the UKGC licensing did not go unnoticed. Sweden, Denmark, France, Spain, and Italy soon followed. And more recently, Portugal and several state-by-state US authorities. This marked the beginning of a new era.

Australia’s Online Gambling Licensing

Following in the footsteps of the UK, the geo we cover, but probably shouldn’t, is Australia. When it introduced its gambling laws, it was a disaster for most online casinos. The country banned online casinos and only allowed online sports betting. At first, online casinos under the MGA licensing ignored the Australian government’s wishes. However, eventually, the MGA added a rule into its framework that forbids casinos with MGA licensing to offer any form of online gambling to Australian citizens.

Only online sports betting companies can operate down right now. However, the Curacao licensing authority does not ban casinos under its framework offering Aussie players casino and sports betting online.

Ireland’s Upcoming Licensing

Ireland has yet to follow Australia and the UK in domestic licensing. However, that is all about to change because the country already has a draft. However, there are some issues with the framework drawn up. Initially, the plan was to bring in domestic licensing; now, to be honest. When will we see the Irish Licensing? I expect we won’t see it come into full force until sometime in 2014, pending a final draft and more clarification to avoid legal disputes after a few holes spotted potential loopholes and lawsuits in the current draft.

You can find out more about the Draft problems in the Irish Times new report – ‘Unclear gambling laws legal challenges‘.

India’s Licensing

This is arguably the most confusing of all the geos we cover. Mainly because the news of how the country will deal with a nationwide licensing authority either repeats itself, or new barriers block the process. This Is primarily because of the country’s political setup and where the final decision on lawmaking concerning online gambling lies.

My prediction is India’s current system will fail? Now you might ask why I say this. Well just have a read of this article – India Online Gambling Tax Levy 28% Announced!

New Zealand on the Brink of a Licensing Authority?

It makes sense that New Zealand brings in a licensing authority for the same reasons most other countries have—tax, control over problem gambling, gambling ads, and consumer rights. There were rumours about a year ago, but with elections coming up, the topic is making its way into local New Zealand news publications.

Find out the latest on New Zealand’s proposed overseas gambling taxation here.

Canada Online Gambling – Relaxed but up-and-coming

I would say Canada is currently the most flexible country regarding online gambling. Ontario is the first province to officially launch an online gambling licensing authority whereby software providers and operators must register with the iGaming Ontario authority. This way, they abide by local gambling, tax and anti-money laundering rules.

Overseas Gambling is Legal All Over Canada: The provinces and territories still allows citizens to play at overseas casinos. However, in Ontario, the only rule is that software providers operating within Ontario cannot allow players in the area to access their games on these overseas websites.

South Africa’s Licensing

There are domestic online gambling licensing authorities across South Africa. Software providers and operators wishing to offer their services to South African citizens are supposed to register with one of these authorities. However, overseas casinos are still accessible, as are the games on their casino sites from big-name brands.

For now, South Africa’s rules are still a pretty confusing market regarding the legality of online gambling offered by overseas gambling sites, or at least contradictory to the country’s National Gambling Act (NGA) of 1965.

South Africa’s Regional Gambling Authorities

• The National Gambling Board (NGB) – main governance
• Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board (WCGRB)
• Gauteng and the Mpumalanga Gambling Board
• KwaZulu-Natal Gaming and Betting Board
• Northern Cape Gambling Board

Licensing Authorities are there to Protect Players

OK, so that statement may not count for all licensing authorities. Some are there purely to make money by certifying online casinos that have no interest in player protection. However, all the orgamisation above, and any mentioned as safe and secure here on the Casinoplusbonus iGaming platform are there to protect players. If you do have an issue with a casino, then contact us here, and we can give you advice. If you signed up for one of the online gambling sites via our portal and you are having issues, then contact us here, and we will help you. Also, as all casinos we mention have licensing from reputable authorities, we can also contact the regulatory body to help you solve your issue.

The most important point: Playing at an online casino that operates under a reputable licensing authority is critical to safe gambling. That’s why the safe online casinos hub here on Casinoplusbonus is so important. It gives you access to information about casino licensing and to specific country pages for Canada, the UK, Ireland. New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and India.