How to Check an Online Casino License

Step 1: Find the Online Casino’s License Information

At most 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 license issuer and number. In the US, that issuer is a state body, not a single national authority.

The license info on the BetRivers website footer — **In the Photo:** Notice how BetRivers doesn’t bury this – the license number, the regulator (PA Gaming Control Board), and the actual company behind the brand (Rush Street Interactive) are all right there in the footer. That’s exactly what you want to see. A legit casino names its licensing body and gives you a number you can look up.

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 license details in the About Us section, the help pages, or the responsible gambling page.

A New Jersey quirk worth knowing: NJ requires every online casino to be tethered to a land-based Atlantic City casino. So, the footer of a site like BetMGM or Borgata Online Casino may name both the online brand and its brick-and-mortar parent. That pairing looks confusing, but it’s normal – the land-based partner is part of NJ’s system for keeping casino sites accountable.

Step 2: Copy the License Number

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

The license number of BetRivers in Pennsylvania, listed in the casino site's footer — **In the Photo:** Don’t just read the number – search it. Cross-checking license #110298 against the official regulator register is what separates “looks legit” from “is legit.”

Many big brands operate in several states, so they hold a separate license in each one. The number that matters is the one issued by your state regulator.

The same brand will show a Michigan Gaming Control Board number in Michigan and a New Jersey DGE number in New Jersey – check the one for where you’re playing.

Step 3: Find Your State’s Gaming Regulator

As you now know, regulation is handled state by state, so you need the official register for your state. Many casinos link to their regulator from the footer – we advise you not to use that link. Open the official state site directly instead.

Here’s where to look for the four main legal-casino states:

State	Gambling Regulator	Where to Check License
Michigan	Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB)	Authorized Online Gaming and Sports Betting Platform Providers in Michigan
New Jersey	NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE)	DGE Internet Gaming Sites List
Pennsylvania	Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB)	PA Licensed Online Gaming Operators
West Virginia	West Virginia Lottery Commission (WVLC)	WV i-Gaming License List

The other legal states have their own bodies too: Connecticut’s Department of Consumer Protection, the Delaware Lottery, and Rhode Island’s Department of Business Regulation.

Step 4: Verify the Online Casino’s License Data

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

License search results on PGCB's official website for Rush Street Interactive, the company behind BetRivers — **In the Photo:** Here’s what verification actually looks like. Searching the operator on PGCB’s official register returns every license they hold – and yes, some will say “Expired.” That’s normal, companies renew licenses constantly, and old entries stay on record.

The wording varies by state. New Jersey publishes a list of Internet Gaming Authorized Sites; Pennsylvania lists its licensed interactive gaming operators; Michigan names its authorized internet gaming operators. If the casino appears on the list as active, the license checks out. If it’s not there, walk away.

Step 5: 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
License number
Domain name
Trading names

Remember the New Jersey tethering point from Step 1 – there, the “parent company” listed by the regulator may be the land-based Atlantic City casino, not the online brand name you recognize. As long as the regulator’s record and the site’s footer line up, you’re good.

Requirements for Obtaining a US Online Casino License

Each regulator (the MGCB, NJ DGE, PGCB, West Virginia Lottery, and others) sets standards to keep gambling fair, crime-free, and to protect players. To get and keep a license, an online casino must meet strict criteria.

Here are the main requirements behind a US online casino license:

Identity and age (21+) verification checks
SSN collection for player verification (AML compliance)
Geolocation to confirm players are inside the state
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, but differences are mostly procedural. There are also industry bodies like the American Gaming Association (AGA) that help maintain these standards, promote responsible practices, and ensure that online casinos treat players fairly across all legal states.

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