Is this casino transparent? An eight-point licence check for Canada
Eight tickable items, plus the public registers where a Canadian player should look first.
To check an online casino, copy the licence number and company name from its footer, search them on the regulator's own website, then review the terms, payout rules, support and safer gambling tools. In Ontario, also look for the operator on the iGaming Ontario list. The checklist below scores your answers.
A licence badge is just an image until it leads to an entry you can open yourself. The list below turns that idea into eight yes or no questions. Still choosing? Our Canada casino shortlist lays out the options.
It helps your own verification and does not certify anyone. Play only if you have reached the age limit of your province.
Eight-point licence check
Tick only what you confirmed with your own eyes, on the casino's pages or in a public register.
Five steps to check a licence yourself
- Copy the licence number and the holder's name from the footer.
- Open the regulator's website by typing it in, not by clicking the casino's badge.
- Search the register for that number.
- Compare holder, status and licence type with what the casino claims.
- For Ontario, cross-check the operator against the registered list on iGaming Ontario.
A badge that links to a plain image, or to nothing, is a warning.
Registers you may run into
| Body | Relevance | In practice |
|---|---|---|
| AGCO and iGaming Ontario | Ontario | Licensing by the AGCO and registration with iGaming Ontario define the regulated market |
| Kahnawake Gaming Commission | Offshore sites serving Canadians | A regulator from a Mohawk territory, not a provincial licence |
| Malta Gaming Authority | International operators | A European regulator held by many global brands |
| Provincial lottery platforms | PlayNow, Espacejeux, PlayAlberta | Government operated |
Confirm details on each body's own site, listed in the sources block of this page.
What a licence will not tell you
It says a regulator has some oversight. It does not say the operator pays fast or offers fair terms. Outside Ontario, many sites serve Canadians under foreign or Kahnawake licences in a legal grey zone. The regulation guide sets out what that implies.
After you score the list
A strong score still deserves a read of the bonus and withdrawal terms and a small test deposit. The full licence verification guide covers the next steps. A weak score means do not deposit.
Common questions
Is a casino licensed abroad legal for me?
It depends on the province. Ontario licenses private operators. In most other provinces the provincial platform is the only licensed choice, and offshore sites sit in a grey area. Players rarely face penalties, but protection is thinner. Check official sources and ask a lawyer if you are unsure.
What does the iGaming Ontario list show?
It names the operators and websites registered to offer online gambling in Ontario under AGCO standards. A site that targets Ontario players but is missing from the list is outside the regulated market. Open the list on the iGaming Ontario website and search the brand name.
Can a seal on the footer be trusted?
Not on its own, because images are easy to copy. The dependable step is to carry the licence number to the regulator's website and confirm the holder, the status and the licence type. If the number is missing or the company name differs, treat the casino as unverified.