How to Check an Online Casino Licence in 4 Easy Steps

First, the big one: online casino regulation in Canada is provincial. Ontario runs a regulated open market through iGaming Ontario and the AGCO, and Alberta launched its own regulated market on July 13, 2026. Everywhere else, players use licensed international (offshore) casinos.

For an Ontario site, you’ll check the iGaming Ontario register. For an offshore site, you’ll check the international regulator that licences it (such as Malta, Curaçao, etc.).

Step 1: Find the Online Casino’s Licence Information

At online casinos we’ve tested, licensing information is displayed in the website footer. You’ll usually see the regulator’s logo or written details naming the licence issuer and number.

For an Ontario site, that issuer is iGaming Ontario. Meanwhile, for an offshore site, it’s an international regulator. You can see the difference below:

Notice how Casino Days doesn’t bury anything – the AGCO licence number, the iGaming Ontario logo, and the company behind the brand (Golden Nebula Limited) are all right there in the footer.
Casumo’s footer shows the Canadian flag and a 19+ badge, but look closer – the licence is issued in Gibraltar. That’s the offshore pattern: serving Canadians under an international regulator.

Don’t see the licensing info in the footer? Don’t worry! Sometimes you’ll need to open the terms and conditions. You could also find licence details in the About Us section, the help pages, or the responsible gambling page.

An Ontario detail worth knowing: Ontario operators register with the AGCO and sign an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario. So a site’s footer may name both bodies. That pairing looks like a lot, but it’s normal – it’s how Ontario keeps casino sites accountable.

Step 2: Copy the Licence Number

Next, note the licence number – it’s the most important piece of information you need to confirm a licence is valid. Every licensed casino must display its licence number, issued by its regulator, on its homepage or in its terms and conditions.

Angelina Vodenicharova Author and Casino Analyst

Our Expert’s Advice

“Don’t just read the number – search it. Cross-checking a licence number against the official regulator register is what separates “looks legit” from “is legit.”

Many big brands operate in several markets, so they may hold separate licences. The number that matters is the one issued by the regulator for where you’re playing.

For example, a brand might show an iGaming Ontario registration for Ontario players and an international licence (say, Malta or Curaçao) for players elsewhere – check the one that applies to you.

Step 3: Verify the Online Casino’s Licence Data

Now confirm the licence is active and valid. On the regulator’s site, find the list of authorized operators or the licence lookup, then search the Entity Name (usually the company name, not the casino name) or licence number. Most regulators publish a public register of every licensed online casino.

Here’s what verification actually looks like. Pulling up Casino Days on the iAGCO register shows everything you need: the status reads Active, the licence number matches the footer (OPIG1545684), and it’s issued to Golden Nebula Limited – the company behind the brand.
The same check works on an offshore register. On the Gibraltar Gambling Division’s list of licence holders, Casumo appears under its company name – Jocularis Limited (trading as Casumo) – licensed as a Gaming Operator.

The wording varies by regulator. iGaming Ontario publishes its list of registered operators; international bodies like the MGA offer a licensee verification tool. If the casino appears on the list as active, the licence checks out. If it’s not there, walk away.

Step 4: Double-Check the Data on the Casino Website

Finally, open the casino website and check that the details listed by the regulator match. Not all sites show everything in the footer, so you may need to open the full terms and conditions to cross-check.

You can compare the following:

Parent company
Address
Licence number
Domain name
Trading names

Remember the Ontario detail from Step 1 – the operator registered with iGaming Ontario may be a parent company, not the consumer brand name you recognize. As long as the regulator’s record and the site’s footer line up, you’re good.

Requirements for Obtaining an Online Casino Licence in Canada

Each regulator (iGaming Ontario and the AGCO in Ontario, plus international bodies like the MGA for offshore sites) sets standards to keep gambling fair, crime-free, and to protect players. To get and keep a licence, an online casino must meet strict criteria.

Here are the main requirements behind a CA online casino licence:

Identity and age (18 or 19) verification checks
Geolocation to confirm players are inside the province (on regulated Ontario sites)
Technical security certificates
Independent game fairness audits (e.g. GLI, iTech Labs)
Segregation of customer funds
Anti-money laundering measures
Transparent and fair terms
Responsible gambling tools and self-exclusion
Data protection policies
Customer complaint procedures

It’s worth noting that licensing requirements can vary by regulator, but differences are mostly procedural. There are also bodies like the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) that help maintain standards, promote responsible practices, and ensure that online casinos treat players fairly.

Angelina Vodenicharova Author and Casino Analyst

About the Author

With a background in marketing, Angelina has a keen eye for emerging trends and stays ahead of the curve on the latest game releases and payment innovations. Her expertise extends to the growing world of gambling apps, where her tech-savviness allows her to offer valuable insights on optimizing gameplay.

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